DM Playhouse Presents LEND ME A TENOR, Beginning 5/24

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents Ken Ludwig's comedy "Lend Me a Tenor," May 24-June 9. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, and at The Playhouse ticket office.

It's 1934. The Cleveland Grand Opera Company is presenting a special performance of "Otello." It's the season opener, and the world's greatest tenor, Tito Merelli (known by his adoring fans as "Il Stupendo"), is coming to perform. Merelli (played by Josh Visnapuu) arrives drunk and refuses to attend the show's rehearsal.

As Merelli sleeps, outrageous mix-ups ensue when a series of women seek flings with the famous tenor. The Opera Guild's chairman (Sue Tell) tries to make a move, to the horror of Merelli's jealous wife (Elisabeth Ballstadt). Maggie (Susan Lynn), the daughter of the opera's general manager (Maxwell Schaeffer), hopes for an affair with the tenor. And then there's the "Otello" leading soprano (Andrea Markowski) who, despite her "Never trust a man in tights" warning, thinks an intimate bedroom romp with Merelli would give her an "in" with the New York Metropolitan Opera Company. Caught up in the madness are the general manager's assistant (Michael Tallman) and a bellhop (Mark Maddy).

The twists and turns of this farce-ful plot are filled with mistaken identities and a whole lot of divas.

The New York Daily News said, "Speed, finesse and keen comic chops are key ingredients to any farce. Happily, they're all in ample supply in 'Lend Me a Tenor.'" And the Associated Press wrote of the recent Broadway revival, "The frantic foolishness that fuels 'Lend Me a Tenor' has not diminished in the two decades since the Ken Ludwig comedy's initial New York appearance. If anything, the play's desperation quotient -- a prime ingredient of any farce worth its belly laughs -- has only increased."

The Playhouse production is directed by Kathy Pingel.

The Playhouse will host preshow talks in conjunction with "Lend Me a Tenor." Audiences are encouraged to come to the theatre 30 minutes prior to curtain for a preshow talk with artistic staff.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about The Playhouse and "Lend Me a Tenor," contact The Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

"Lend Me a Tenor" Performances: May 24-June 9, 2013

7:30 PM Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday

2:00 PM Sunday

"Lend Me a Tenor" Tickets

Tickets $29, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups of 15 or more

To purchase tickets:

dmplayhouse.com

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