NCP’s ‘Tenor’ features perfect ensemble cast

By LORRAINE WARDLE

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — The New Castle Playhouse’s Annex Theater was filled with laughter Friday as “Lend Me a Tenor” opened to a full house.

“Lend Me a Tenor” is a Tony Award-winning farce by Ken Ludwig. The play has every aspect of comedy: double entendres, mistaken identities, over-the-top characters, and plenty of slamming doors. It can be a difficult production, with lots of slapstick and quick cues. But the cast at the New Castle Playhouse is up to the task.

The action takes place in a hotel suite in Cleveland in 1934 where several people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Tito Merrilli, a world-famous tenor. “Il Stupendo,” as he is known, is scheduled to sing the lead in “Otello,” produced as a gala fundraiser for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Henry Saunders, the general manager of the opera company, is angry because Tito is late. Maggie, his daughter, is excited to meet the star. Max, who is Saunders’ assistant and Maggie’s boyfriend, is just trying to keep everybody calm.

When Tito finally arrives with his wife, Maria, he is not prepared to sing. Instead, they fight and cause everyone even more stress. More characters show up, including Julia, the chairwoman of the Opera Guild, Diana, the lead soprano, and a bellhop who wants to be a singer. As each character tries to fulfill his own agenda, everything begins to unravel.

The play’s two acts are a fast-paced, laugh-filled chain reaction of plot twists, mistaken identities, innuendoes, and constant entrances and exits through many doors. Paul Angelucci’s direction kept the play moving like a well-oiled machine. The actors are constantly moving, giving the play a feeling of urgency and chaos. The beauty is that it is a controlled chaos, with each actor in exactly the right spot at the right time.

Angelucci’s ensemble cast fit together perfectly. Jeffrey Hall played Max with a lovable sincerity as he grew from an unsure underling to a confident tenor. Phillip Clark Jr. seemed all too comfortable in his role as the brash, loud and nearly out-of-control Saunders, the opera manager. Perhaps Clark has personal experience with the role, as he is the president of the NCP. Erica Vandevort played Maggie with a wide-eyed, na Øve passion.

As Tito, Rick Nelson was larger than life with a thick accent and big voice. Beth Rashid-Danielson played Maria with equal intensity. Paula R. Ferguson was a ham as Julia, the loopy guild chairwoman, gliding in and out of her scenes with a strange mix of hilarity and grace. As the bellhop, Erik Kraus was quirky and energetic. Mary Ann Mangini added some heat to the production with her steamy, seductive portrayal of Diana, the aspiring soprano.

The set of the play was almost a character in itself. Composed of two rooms with six working doors, the set never got a rest. Angelucci, the director, also designed the set, which was a beautiful representation of a swanky 1930s hotel, full of art deco accents.

In the midst of today’s recession woes, “Lend Me a Tenor” provides a sweet relief.

X”Lend Me a Tenor” runs Friday, Saturday and May 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and today, next Sunday and May 24 at 2 p.m. Call (724) 654-3437 for reservations.