By Elise Pearlman - March 31, 2011

Fans of world-renowned theatrical genius Ken Ludwig are in for a treat when The Minstrel Players' production of his comedic masterpiece, "Lend Me A Tenor," opens at Trinity Episcopal Church this weekend. 

According to the most recent show's program, the troupe has produced 36 shows since 2001.

"Lend Me A Tenor" is farce at its best, a puzzle whose parts have to mesh seamlessly. The cast pulls out all the stops in "Lend Me A Tenor" in what just very well be The Minstrel Players' finest hour.

The show is set in 1934, with action focusing on the pandemonium that ensues on the fateful night that the world famous Italian tenor Tito Morelli is scheduled to reprise his greatest role, that of Otello, for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company's gala season opener. 

The stakes are high, and the hope is that Morelli's performance will bring renown to the opera company. But as the play opens, the best laid plans of general manager Henry Saunders and his assistant Max have already gone astray as the tenor is nowhere to be found.

When the tardy tenor finally makes his appearance accompanied by his disgruntled wife, Maria, "Il Stupendo" is in a state of nervous agitation. In the first of a series of comedic mishaps that will fuel the action, Morelli, who is badly in need of a nap, washes a double dose of tranquillizers down with some wine, passes out, and appears to be dead.

The show must go on, but who will take his place? Of sheer desperation, Saunders begs Max, an aspiring singer himself, to masquerade as the great tenor. Is Max, whose self-esteem has suffered due to some romantic angst, man enough to step up to the plate?

The success of "Lend Me A Tenor" — directed by Tara Palen and produced by Ray and Debbie Palen — hinges on precise comedic timing, and the cast has it down to a science. Another part of the fun is seeing the actors that the audience has come to know and love strut their stuff in new roles.

Ray Palen, who honed his skill as an actor at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, was last seen in the leading role of William Gillette in "Postmortem."The role of Max showcases his gift for physical comedy. At the same time, Ray masterfully portrays Max's dual personae.

Martin Edmond debuts with the group in his role as Saunders. According to the program, Edmond has performed regionally in numerous productions, including Shakespeare at the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, and he fits the role of the histrionic, beleaguered boss to a tee.

Shane Fallacara, who previously appeared in The Minstrel Players' production of "Whodunnit," boasts a convincing Italian accent and is hilarious as the boisterous womanizing tenor.

Tricia Ieronimo, who is also making her Minstrel debut, also boasts a convincing Italian accent, and is a perfect fit as Morelli's rightfully suspicious wife, Maria.

The role of Maggie is played by Jacqueline Angier, who has an extensive operatic background. She brings both poise and humor to her performance as Max's love interest who has stars in her eyes for Morelli.

Patricia Servidio, who previously appeared in "Postmortem," plays Diana, the femme fatale who is not above indulging in some hanky-panky to further her career.

Roseann Baldanza, who plays Julia, has been a 'Minstrel Player' since 2000, and works her comedic charm as the chairwoman of the Opera Guild who also has eyes for the world-renowned tenor.

Evan Donnellan, who appeared in "Postmortem" as the debonair Leo Barrett, adds panache in his supporting role as the frenetic, persistent bellhop who's an ardent fan of Morelli's.

Kudos go to Tara Palen, both for her flawless direction, and for set that she designed with Rob Cashman which includes an elegant sitting room and a bedroom, making for some intriguing split-screen action. There's a lot of door-slamming, and the use of black and white effectively draws attention to these entryways and exits which play such a pivotal role in the production.

Performances take place on April 2 and 9 at 8 pm and on April 3 and 10 at 3 pm at the Houghton Hall Theatre, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors and children.

Hey, did Saunders just spit a wax grape in that lady’s lap? Sure enough, she’s been hit and now she’s nervously brushing the thing onto the floor. There’s something special about a moment in a live performance when the action on the stage crosses the invisible threshold from the realm of the players and makes the audience part of the show. Even better if it comes as a surprise to the audience and especially good if the grape lands on someone else. The cast makes the most of the moment and the audience is drawn deeper into the frantic comedy Lend Me a Tenor.

When we sat down in Northport’s Houghton Hall it was a brisk Sunday afternoon, April 2011 but in no time we’d been transported to Cleveland circa 1934. We have a fly on the wall view to the preparations for a performance of Otello by the renowned tenor Tito Merelli, known to his fans as Il Stupendo. It appears that events might conspire to cancel the performance. First Merelli is missing, then he shows up late, hung over and in no condition to take the stage in a few hours. To make matters worse, Il Stupendo’s entourage manages to slip him a Mickey in the form of a double dose of tranquilizers.

Even though this is Cleveland, not Broadway, the show must go on and the dweeby theater prole Max steps up to fill Il Stupendo’s shoes. Ray Palen does a fine job transforming from a nervous gofer to a performer imbued with sufficient self-confidence to carry the night and get the girl. Palen is abetted by Martin Edmund playing theater-owner Saunders and Jacqueline Angier playing Saunders’ fickle and feckless daughter Maggie. This trio makes the most of the comic opportunities and double entendres in the script. Layer on some slapstick, thanks to Shane Fallacara’s bull in the china shop portrayal of Il Stupendo and you can see why this play is so popular with theater companies and audiences alike.

Did I mention double entendres? The show does get into some adult situations that made for an interesting conversation in the car afterwards with the 10 and 12 year-old junior Teodoros who also took in the performance. Not sure if the MPAA would agree, but the show probably rates a PG-13. Something about a live performance makes those comments a lot funnier than they would be in a movie, but also a lot more real, so if you bring the kids be prepared for a debrief afterwards.

All in all, the Minstrel Players deliver a worthy alternative to the endless list of high-gloss, on-demand, ubiquitous video entertainment options. Get thee to Northport and support live theater, you’ll be glad you did.

Lend Me a Tenor will be performed April 9 at 8 pm and April 10 at 3 pm at the Houghton Hall Theatre, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main Street, Northport. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for seniors and children.