Production of "Lend me a Tenor" Seeks Performers
ONLY LOCAL TALENT WILL BE ADMITTED. Directors are currently in need of performers for production of "Lend me a Tenor". Please, see the details below. ABOUT THE SHOW: What Is the Story of Lend Me a Tenor? World-renowned tenor Tito Merelli has signed on to play the clown in the opera Pagliacci at a Cleveland opera company in the fall of 1934. He arrives late and, through a set of crazy circumstances, passes out after mixing wine with a huge dose of tranquilizers. In a case of mistaken identities, Lend Me A Tenor turns the world of opera into a slapstick marathon, where everyone's either in the wrong bed or wearing the wrong beard. Think of it as the love child of Mozart and Monty Python, waltzing through a farce that hits every high note and low blow with comedic precision. Additional information: PRODUCTION DATES: March 19-22, 2025. Rehearsals will run from mid/late January until the opening on March 19. Please, see attached the sides. If you're interested, please apply.
8 roles
He is a mercenary, narcissistic businessman. As the Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company he is responsible for producing operas that will be successful and to Saunders that means operas that make money and secure his position and income. His goals take precedence over everything and everyone he encounters.
MAX is Saunders’ assistant. He dreams of being an opera singer but his insecurity and unassuming personality stand as an obstacle to that. He has settled into the rut of being, as Saunders describes him, a “somewhat gifted amateur. . . .
MAGGIE is Saunders’ daughter. She is a spoiled, rich, young woman who has been given opportunities because of her father’ career. Above all, she is a romantic dreamer. She does not want to marry and settle down like most other young women in her time (1930’s).
TITO MERELLI is the leading operatic tenor of his day. He spends a good deal of his life trying to make peace with his angry wife. She is furious at him for his over-indulgence in wine, food and other women and his fatigue-induced failure to warm up the marriage bed.
DIANA is a very attractive young soprano who is part of the Pagliacci cast. She is very ambitious but does not have the patience to develop her craft in the hope that she will some day be noticed by people who can launch her to the level of stardom in the opera world. Instead she tries to “sleep” her way to the top.
JULIA is the chairperson of the Opera Guild and sees her position as entitling her to special attention from their guest star. She is smitten by Tito’s glamour as an artist and by his sex appeal. This she pursues to the very end, and at one point begs for “just five minutes, that’s all I need! . . . Tito! Please!” She also has a close relationship with Saunders.
MARIA MERELLI is Tito’s hot-blooded wife, Maria. She has more complex motives than the other women. While they simply desire Tito, her love is mixed with a large portion of fury. As she says, “In my heart, he makes a-me sick.” She has all the strength and passionate intensity as a wife that Tito has as an opera star. This makes their relationship at most times turbulent, but they are both suited for each other.
THE BELLHOP is Merelli’s adoring fan, the representative of the many thousands like him who crowd the tenor’s path wherever he goes. He simply wants to see and speak to the great man, to bring him wine and compliments, and to get his photograph and autograph in return. However, he is something more than just a lowly servant. He has a sense of and pride in himself and is not intimidated by the wealthy people for whom he carries luggage. He speaks Italian and loves opera.
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