Houston Family Arts Center to Present LEND ME A TENOR, 9/4-27

Famed Italian opera star, Tito Merelli, is making his American debut at the Cleveland Grand Opera. Ken Ludwig's riotous farce "LEND ME A TENOR" is coming to the Houston Family Arts Center stage September 4-27, 2015.

"LEND ME A TENOR" has been called "A remarkable piece of theatre" by the London Times, and "A furiously paced comedy with more than a touch of the Marx brothers...a marvelous combination of wonderful farcical moments and funny lines" by Time Out.

The Cleveland Grand Opera Company is preparing for the arrival of the operatic tenor superstar, Tito Merelli. Mr. Merelli is making his American debut in his one night performance as the title role in Verdi's, Otello. However, the Italian star is late and Henry Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is panicking. Once an ill-feeling Tito finally arrives at the hotel, Saunders instructs his assistant, Max, to do whatever it takes for him to get Mr. Merelli some rest before the performance. Max is a little overzealous with the amount of the sedative that he gives Tito, and now Tito will not wake up and is thought to be dead. In a frantic attempt to save the show, and his job, Saunders' convinces Max to put on the costume and take up the role of Otello in place of Tito. As Saunders and Max leave for the performance, a previously 'dead' Tito wakes up, puts on his spare costume and rushes to the opera house for his performance. Now, unbeknownst to each other, two Tito's are running about the hotel suite and hilarity ensues!

PLEASE NOTE: The show does contain sexual innuendo, some cursing, staged trysts that emphasize the comedic touches of the Marx brothers, and some potentially offensive subject matter. Due to some of the mature content of this production we do recommend adult supervision. If there are any questions or concerns about this production please email: hfac@houstonfac.com

Conducting this cast of characters is Julie Akers (director), Michael Montgomery (executive producer), Lisa Garza (scenic design), Kristin Knipp (costume design), Ron Putterman (lighting design), and David Dean (sound design).

The cast includes the talents of HFAC veterans Jordan O'Neal (Max), Kristen Malisewski (Maggie), Richard Hahn (Saunders), Justin Michael Finch (Tito), Emma Van Lare (Maria), Patrick Barton (Bellhop), and welcomes two newcomers to the Garza Main Stage, Darin Montemayor (Diana) and Margaret Clair (Julia).

Performances of LEND ME A TENOR are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m., September 4th-27th on the HFAC Garza Mainstage. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.houstonfac.com, or by phone at (281) 587-6100. Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.

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