There's a good reason for all of the mistaken identities in the Wabash College Theater Department's production of "Lend Me a Tenor." Pictured are Joe Mount and Patrick Stroud.
Niki Hutson as Maria and Patrick Stroud as Tito in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Patrick Stroud, Jake Peacock (Saunders), and Joe Mount (Max) in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Saunders begs Max to perform as Tito in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Terry Swift as Julia, Jake Peacock as Saunders, Claire Jagla as Maggie, and Patrick Stroud as Tito in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Terry Swift, Claire Jagla, and Jake Peacock in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Jake Peacock and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Terry Swift, Claire Jagla, Chris McCloskey (Bellhop), and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Claire Jagla and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Jake Peacock and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Maria Fraczek as Diana and Patrick Stroud as Tito in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Claire Jagla and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Claire Jagla and Patrick Stroud in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Jake Peacock and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Maria Fraczek and Patrick Stroud in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Busted: Claire Jagla, Joe Mount, and Maria Fraczek in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Claire Jagla and Terry Swift in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
A classic living room chase scene in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Chris McCloskey plays the Bellhop in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Jake Peacock and Joe Mount think Patrick Stroud (Tito) is dead in a scene from "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Maria Fraczek puts her moves on Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Patrick Stroud and Joe Mount in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Claire Jagla and Niki Hutson in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
Joe Mount, Claire Jagla, and Chris McCloskey in "Lend Me a Tenor" at Wabash College.
The Wabash Theater Department opens its 2011-12 performance season this week with a four-night run of Lend Me a Tenor. Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday nights in Ball Theater in the Fine Arts Center.
Directed by Professor Michael Abbott, Lend Me a Tenor is a classic American comedy that has been produced all over the world since its premier in 1986. Written by Ken Ludwig, Lend Me a Tenor was nominated for seven Tony Awards when it premiered in the West End (Philip Bosco won for Best Actor). It was produced on Broadway in 1989 and again in 2010.
The year is 1934 and the Cleveland Opera Company is hosting a blockbuster fund-raiser backed by renowned tenor Tito Merelli (Il Stupendo) for a performance of Otello. In a wild case of mistaken identity and classical farcical turns, Merelli’s wife leaves him.
In an effort to calm down, the singer pops too many tranquilizers and is down for the count. But the show must go on — and does — in a fast-moving madcap farce that delights opera lovers and opera haters alike, and leaves all audiences in stitches.
“I've especially enjoyed introducing a talented young company of actors to the technical and physical demands of farce, and they've responded with tremendous energy and devotion to the project,” Abbott said.
Starring in the Wabash production of Lend Me a Tenor are Joe Mount as Max and Patrick Stroud as Tito. Not only does Mount play his own part, he doubles as a stand-in for Il Stupendo when the famous opera singer nods off. Jake Peacock stars as Saunders, Max’s would-be father-in-law and the head honcho behind the Cleveland Opera’s big event. Another Wabash student, Chris McCloskey, plays the Bellhop.
In addition to the Wabash students, Maria Fraczek stars as Diana, Niki Hutson as Maria, Claire Jagla as Maggie, and Terry Swift as Julia. Fraczek is a Modern Languages Intern, Jagla is a senior at DePauw, and Hutson and Swift are veteran actresses from the community.
“This production showcases the talents of actresses from the local community, the Wabash campus, and even our neighboring rival to the south,” Abbott said. “It's been a terrific joy for me from beginning to end, and I hope everyone will make plans to see the show. It's a blast!”
Lend Me a Tenor at Wabash College features stunning scenic and lighting design by James Gross and gorgeous costume design by Andrea Bear. Joe Reese is the stage manager and Gus McKinney is the properties master.
Tickets are free, but should be reserved by contacting the box office (boxoffice@wabash.edu or 765-361-6411).