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Playhouse’s ‘Lend Me A Tenor’ projects energy, fun
By STEPHANIE OTTEY
YOUNGSTOWN
Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor” is considered by many to be one of two great farces written by a living playwright. Having first hit the stage in 1985, Ludwig’s show recently was revived on Broadway. John Cox saw the show in New York and came home urging Mary Ruth Lynn to include it in this season’s offerings. She listened, and now The Youngstown Playhouse is closing its 88th season with “Lend Me A Tenor.”
In a league with Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off,” “Lend Me A Tenor” certainly has the right ingredients to be a fast-paced circus of comedic styles. The setting is right: Everything takes place in a hotel suite in Cleveland with plenty of doors and opportunities for hiding behind them. The cast is right: It’s full of clearly defined, stereotypical characters. The set-up is right, too.
The play is about an opera director, Saunders, and his assistant, Max. Saunders has invited opera star Tito Merelli to sing in “Othello.” Tito arrives in Cleveland with an angry wife and a tummy ache, and takes one too many doses of medicine to ease his discomfort. Instead of napping for a few hours before the show, he passes out and risks missing the big performance. Max is then thrust into the roles of Othello and Tito, and misunderstandings ensue.
This plot is delightfully simple, with a sprinkling of romance and sexual innuendo, and it leaves plenty of room for word-play and physical comedy.
Directed by John Cox, this production doesn’t run with the high-pressure feel that some farces maintain, but instead keeps a steady, moderate pace that creates an unusually relaxed comedic energy.
Cox’s casting choices are spot-on. Jason A. Green plays the timid Max with just enough spunk to make the audience root for him. Green showcases his impeccable comedic timing and commitment to physical comedy in a performance that is fun to watch.
Medford Mashburn is a fabulous Tito Merelli. Mashburn matches Green in comedic know-how and pairs it with a suaveness that is irresistible.
Cyndi Plyler is uproariously funny as Tito’s unsatisfied wife Maria. Plyler’s loud, energetic character is like an alarm — commanding attention.
Victor Garcia plays Saunders with a unique turn. Garcia focuses on Saunders’ disgruntled side, opting for a more gruff than haughty character. He lacks the sense of urgency that would be expected in the precarious situation of the show but is still an intimidating character.
The blossoming Maggie is played sweetly by Corina Dougherty, and Lauren May Wenick is provocative as Diana. Dylan White is a charming bellhop, and Denise Sculli is laugh-out-loud funny as Julia.
The production is solid technically as well, save one poor choice in sound design. Instead of singing live, Green and Medford lip-sync with a recording. With an orchestral underscoring in the track, and shoddy synchronization this choice seems like a last-minute fix. Even if the two actors sound nothing alike or are tone-deaf the irony of their own live vocal performances would have only added more hilarity to this already fun show.
“Lend Me a Tenor” runs through June 24. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. For ticket information, call 330-788-8739. The Youngstown Playhouse is located at 600 Playhouse Lane off Glenwood Avenue.