A COMEDY OF TENORS Comes to Olney Theatre Center

Olney Theatre Center continues its record-breaking 81st season with Ken Ludwig's A Comedy of Tenors on the Mainstage, running April 10 to May 12, 2019. Jason King Jones, Olney Theatre's Senior Associate Artistic Director and Artistic Director of National Players helms the production. Jones most recently directed Annie. Press is invited to attend the performance on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00 pm.

Of the production, Director Jason King Jones said "I'm thrilled to work with these exceptional artists on this masterfully written comedy. From the first time I read this, I knew it would be a play that Olney's audiences will love, and I can't wait to delight and surprise them. It's a fantastic sequel to Lend Me a Tenor that stands on its own as an exceptional play."

Written by Olivier-award winning playwright Ken Ludwig, A Comedy of Tenors, is a farce set in 1936 Paris on the precipice of a big concert. Operatic star Tito Merelli refuses to perform at a Three Tenors-style concert at the last minute, causing chaos. Luckily, American impresario Saunders and his sidekick Max manage to stumble upon Beppo the Bellman, who just so happens to look exactly like Tito and have the voice to match. If that wasn't already quite the story, there are a pair of young lovers caught in flagrante delicto, Tito's fiery wife, a randy Russian diva and countless misunderstandings that result in an evening of uproarious laughter and fun.

Broadway Veteran John Tracy Eagn makes his Olney Theatre Center debut as Tito. Eagn has performed on Broadway in My Fair Lady, Sister Act, Casa Valentina, and more. OTC Comedy expert Emily Townley (Bad Dog) returns to play Tito's wife Maria. Alan Wade continues an over 46 year relationship with Olney Theatre Center, playing the role of Saunders. The rest of the cast includes Allyson Boate (National Player Tour 68) as Tito and Maria's daughter, Mimi, Patricia Hurley (Elf the Musical, Mary Poppins) as Racon, the Russian diva, Alan Naylor (On the Town) as Carlo, a rival singer and Mimi's boyfriend, and Matthew Schleigh (Little Shop of Horrors) as Max.

The award-winning creative team marks the return of many to OTC. Charlie Calvert (Fickle: A Fancy French Farce, Dial 'M' for Murder) designs the set, Justin Schmitz (Carmen: An Afro Cuban Jazz Musical) is sound designing, Casey Kaleba (Sweeney Todd, Dial 'M' for Murder) is fight choreographer, and Sonya Dowhaluk (Dial 'M' for Murder, Godspell) is light designer. Seth Gilbert (Costume Designer), LaShawn Melton (Wig Designer), and Brianne Taylor (Dialect Coach) round out the creative team.

Regular performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 8:00 pm; matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm; and Wednesday matinees at 2:00 pm on April 17 and May 1. There is no Saturday matinee on April 13.

There will be an Audio-described performance for the blind and visually impaired on Wednesday, April 24 at 8:00 pm and a sign-interpreted performance on Thursday, May 2 at 8:00 pm. Audience members who wish to use these services should contact Julie Via, Patron Services Manager (jvia@olneytheatre.org) to confirm.

Tickets begin at $42. Discounts available for groups, seniors, military and students.

To post a comment, you must register and login.