If you’re looking for some laughs, go see “Lend Me a Tenor.”

The Tony Award-winning play, written by Ken Ludwig, is billed as a “madcap, screwball comedy.”

The play is set in 1934 at the Cleveland Opera Co., where world-famous tenor Tito Merelli, played by Randy Forster, is expected to perform. Through a series of mishaps, Merelli receives a double dose of tranquilizers, causing the house manager to believe he is dead. Slapstick mistaken identity ensues.

The Albert Lea Community Theatre production is directed by Steve Kinney of Austin.

“It’s quite clever,” Kinney said. “I think it’s the funniest of (Ludwig’s) plays.”

Kinney has been involved in theater for over 40 years and has been involved with productions at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center for about 28 of them. He’s directed over 100 productions, including 30 at the performing arts center. He also built and designed the set for this production of “Lend Me a Tenor.”

“Lend Me a Tenor” will be performed May 1 through 4 and May 7 through 10 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea. All shows, with the exception of May 4, will start at 7:30 p.m. The showtime on May 4 is 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased over the phone at 877-730-3144 or online at www.actonbroadway.com or at the Performing Arts Center box office.

“It’s pretty funny. … We have some good people in this show,” Kinney said.

“If they want to laugh and have a good time, come out and see us.”

 

Cast

Maggie Cheyenne Severtson

Max Dustin Smith

Saunders Mark Place

Tito Randy Forster

Maria Kristan Dye

Bellhop Brian Mattson

Julia Joyce Matthies

Diana Kristi White