Lend Me a Tenor Trips Its Way Onto Hayes Auditorium Stage Special to The Mountain Times Door slamming, mistaken identity and passed out Lees-McRae Performing Arts presents Ken Ludwig’s situation comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, set in 1930’s Cleveland. Starring in the production are seniors Aaron Beckman and Stephanie Deal. Photo by Todd Bush opera singers abound in the slapstick comedy Lend Me a Tenor in Hayes Auditorium on the Lees-McRae College campus in downtown Banner Elk November 10 - 14. Lend Me A Tenor by Ken Ludwig is the 1989 Tony award winning farce in the style of the 1930’s comedies. The Cleveland Opera Company needs a financial boost and contracts a world-renowned tenor, Tito Merelli, to sing a benefit performance. When he accidentally overdoses on sleeping pills, the opera’s director and his assistant, Max, think he’s dead. They hatch a plan to have Max replace him in the performance, then announce the next morning that Tito died after the performance. The plan blows up when Tito wakes up and tries to get into the theatre. “Two Titos running around in identical Otello costumes, women who throw themselves at one or both of them, Tito’s jealous wife, and a irritating bellhop all contribute to general mayhem,” said Dr. Michael Hannah, director of the show and faculty member. “It’s pure silliness and entertainment. If the television shows ‘Frasier’ and ‘I Love Lucy’ had a love child, this play would be it.” Hannah is excited about the learning opportunities that Lend Me A Tenor affords the performing arts students. “This play gives us the chance to work on pure comedy,” said Hannah. “There are a lot of physical comedy moments and chances to improve comic timing. One character storms out one door at the exact moment another character enters from another. Much of the physical comedy must be highly coordinated, and I think it will be a great experience not only for me, but for the student actors, as well. We’re having a lot of fun in rehearsals because the cast is so prepped for a good time. “I have loved this play since the first time I read it many years ago. Its comic possibilities are endless, and I haven’t had the chance to do anything this much fun in a while. The playwright, Ken Ludwig, has perfectly captured the spirit of the slapstick comedy of the 1930s.” And, these actors will be perfecting their art in style as the set will also be a star of its own in this production. The set must look good and also be able to stand up to all the door-slamming and chases. “The set will be one of the most fully realized designs we’ve seen in a while on the Hayes stage, and I’m really looking forward to that aspect,” said Hannah. “The play takes place in 1934 in a high-class hotel in Cleveland. The set, designed by faculty member Chris Carr, incorporates wonderfully artistic Art Deco designs, and the costumes are great reproductions of actual 1930s styles. Visually this is going to be a great production.” Performances are November 10 - 13 at 7:30 pm and November 14 at 2 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students/children. For tickets and information, call the Division of Performing Arts at (828) 898-8721. Lees-McRae is a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church U. S. A, located in the town of Banner Elk. The college is dedicated to service learning and offers majors in twenty-four fields.