The Mountain Playhouse Presents LEND ME A TENOR 8/2-8/14

The Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown continues its seventieth anniversary season with a madcap farce, which has become one of the signature pieces of the Playhouse's farce troupe. Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig was first performed at the Mountain Playhouse in 1991 (two years after its Broadway debut) and then was reprised in 2000. The show runs August 2 through August 14 with 16 matinee and evening performances. If there is ever a time not to take an accidental double dose of tranquilizers, it would be just before taking the stage as a famous opera singer. But that is exactly what happens in Lend Me a Tenor. This lively farce revolves around famed opera singer Tito Merelli, whose wife mistakes a hidden autograph seeker for a secret lover just moments before Merelli is to take the stage at a gala event. Her 'Dear John' letter sets in motion a series of double entendres, plot twists, quick exits and innuendoes.

The Tony Award-Winning play is scheduled for its Broadway revival in February 2010 with Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight (George O'Malley) playing Max.

In the upcoming Mountain Playhouse production, Lend Me a Tenor is directed by Tom Schaller, who has been acting and directing in and around Pittsburgh for the past 18 years with such companies as The Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Saint Vincent's Theatre, Quantum Theatre, West Virginia Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Cabaret Theatre, and The Theatre Factory for which he is also the President of the Board of Directors. He is currently on the faculty of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland, PA.

Jeff Wise, who made his Mountain Playhouse debut in The Pajama Game, plays Max, an aspiring opera singer. Frederic Heringes plays the role of Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Nick Ruggeri portrays Tito Merelli, the opera star known as "Il Stupendo," and Ashley Pucket Gonzales plays his hot-blood and quick -tempered wife, Maria. Shannon Denney plays Max's fiancée, Maggie Saunders.

Juliet Brooks plays Diana, a soprano with the company. Mary Ehlinger plays Julia, Chairman of the Cleveland Opera Guild, and Eric Dieboldt plays the opera-loving Bellhop who is dying to get Il Stupendo's photo and autograph.

The August 4 opening night performance will be followed by a reception at Green Gables Restaurant. All audience members are invited to attend to visit with the cast and crew.

In what has become a relatively recent addition to the Mountain Playhouse, the audience is invited to stay for a casual conversation with the actors and Producer following the first Sunday matinee of each show. The Sunday Talk Back for Lend Me a Tenor will be held on Sunday, August 9.

Following Lend Me a Tenor (August 4-16) the summer season concludes with Bubba's Revenge (August 18-30). The fall season picks up with The Glass Menagerie starring Sandy Duncan (September 15-27), Sister Strikes Again!: Late Nite Catechism 2 (September 30-October 11).

The Mountain Playhouse, which opened in 1939, is Pennsylvania's oldest professional summer theater. Annually, the Playhouse sponsors the International Comedy Playwriting contest that helps encourage and develop new comedy for theater. The Mountain Playhouse is located next door to Green Gables Restaurant in Jennerstown on Route 985, one-half mile north of the historic Lincoln Highway (Route 30). For information call 814-629-9201 or visit the website at
www.MountainPlayhouse.org.

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