By Marilyn Jozwik
“Lend Me a Tenor,” Sunset Playhouse’s latest offering, is Ken Ludwig’s first of many plays, and it has become his most popular.
It’s easy to see why. It’s fast pace, visual humor, clever dialogue and farcical situations make for highly entertaining theater.
But there’s a lot that can go wrong. First and foremost, the stage must be created to high standards as it takes quite a beating from all the hijinks. It brings to mind that Nissan commercial where a guy repeatedly opens and slams the door on the car to test its durability. The same is true of “Lend Me a Tenor,” in which six doors play a huge part as entries to bathrooms, a closet and the hotel hallway, as well as a passage between two visible hotel rooms. All must perform flawlessly to keep the performers doing the same.
Sunset’s production held up to that test. But of course, people don’t come to the theater to see doors slamming.
Saunders (Jim Mallmann), left, tries to explain the evenings confusing events to Maggie (Brigid O’Brien), Bellhop (Christopher S. Orth) and Julia (Cathy Marschall) in a scene from Sunset Playhouse.’s “Lend Me a Tenor.”
The show takes place in 1934, when a famous tenor, Tito Merelli (Michael Stickney), is scheduled to perform “Pagliacci” for the 10th anniversary of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The company’s general manager, the irascible Saunders (Jim Mallmann), and his meek assistant, Max (Chris Gonyo), are anxiously awaiting Merelli’s arrival for the evening’s performance as the rehearsal is just minutes away. Bullied by Saunders, Max is responsible for Merelli’s whereabouts and comfort before the show. Finally, Merelli shows up, with his fiery wife (Alexa Farrell) berating him in no uncertain terms for eating like a pig and feeling sick and being a womanizer. The Merellis’ arguments are epic, with broad gestures and thick Italian accents.
Tito Merelli as Pagliacci (Michael Stickney) shares a humorous misunderstanding with ingenue soprano Diana (Rachel Wenndt) in a scene from Sunset Playhouse’s “Lend Me a Tenor.”
Max befriends Merelli, who tutors Max in his aspirations to be a world-class tenor like himself. When Merelli seems to be indisposed for the evening’s performance, it may be Max’s chance to show just how good he is. Suddenly, there are two Pagliaccis in the hotel, and the police, as well as Max’s girlfriend, Maggie (Brigid O’Brien); ingenue soprano Diana (Rachel Wenndt); opera guild chairwoman Julia (Cathy Marshall); and a bellhop (Christopher S. Orth) are all hoping to spend time with the famous Merelli. The action is dizzying as mistaken identities lead to hilarious situations.
This ensemble cast, directed by Michael Pocaro, generally handles the fast pace and physical humor well, but there were a few pacing and syncing issues at the performance we saw which will probably be ironed out in the future.
Gonyo is a lovable Max, who finds himself in near constant motion as he tries to balance his roles as Merelli’s keeper, Saunders’ factotum and the subject of adulation. He is totally engaged with his demanding character and the audience as the fulcrum of much of the humor.
The cast of Sunset Playhouse’s “Lend Me a Tenor”: Back, from left, Christopher S. Orth, Rachel Wenndt, Jim Mallmann, Alexa Farrell, Brigid O’Brien and Chris Gonyo; front, Cathy Marschall and Michael Stickney.
As Merelli, Stickney couldn’t be more perfect. He is so comfortable as the demanding divo, passionate about his music, a willing mentor to Max and totally bemused when another Pagliacci is in the house. He has such marvelous expressions as his evening goes completely off the rails and his Italian accent is spot on. Loved the scenes with him and Farrell’s Maria, who is effectively and hilariously over the top as Merelli’s buxom jealous wife. Definitely a scene stealer.
I also enjoyed Cathy Marschall as Julia, chairwoman of the Cleveland Opera Guild, who affects a nice British accent and breezy attitude as she finds herself in the middle of the muddle. One of the best lines in the show has Saunders saying that her outfit makes her look “like the Chrysler Building.”
A shout-out has to go to master carpenter Duane Bauer for creating the hard-working, visually appealing set that contributed to the many successful gags.
If you go:
Who: Sunset Playhouse
What: “Lend Me a Tenor”
When: Through Sept. 27
Where: 700 Wall St., Elm Grove
Info/Tickets: SunsetPlayhouse.com/262-782-4430