Published: July 31, 2009 12:55 pm      

Playhouse presentation is 'controlled chaos'

'Lend Me a Tenor' opens Tuesday

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

When the madcap farce “Lend Me a Tenor” hits the stage at Mountain Playhouse, laughter is guaranteed.

The comedy, by Ken Ludwig, will make its third appearance at the Jennerstown theater from Tuesday through Aug. 16.

Previous runs were in 2000 and 1991.

Playhouse veteran Nick Ruggeri, who starred in the 2000 production, returns in the role of Tito Merelli, the opera singer known as “Il Stupendo.”

Merelli is on the verge of taking the stage for a gala event when he receives a “Dear John” letter from his hot-tempered wife, Maria, played by Ashley Pucket Gonzales.

Then there’s the accidental double dose of tranquilizers that makes Merelli look as if he has sung his last aria.

In typical farce fashion, mistaken identities, slamming doors, double entendres and plot twists ensue.

“Since this is a farce, there will be crazy situations, and lots of silliness,” Ruggeri said. “The more you do a farce, the easier it becomes – but it is never easy.”

All the action in “Lend Me a Tenor” happens in the space of one day, from early afternoon to midnight.

Director Tom Schaller said his actors are more in control of the tempo and pace of the play than he is.

“They know where they should be even though it seems more chaotic,” Schaller said.

“It’s designed to look like it’s spinning out of control, but the actors know exactly what is happening. I have a good cast. They get their blocking, their lines and the info board.”

Schaller explained that this style of play is choreographed, even though it isn’t a musical, with everyone having to be at the right place at the right time.

“As the actors get comfortable with their lines, they digest the lines they need and drive the pace,” Schaller said.

“It gives them the freedom to explore and improvise. I tell them, ‘Don’t be afraid to play.’ ”

Ruggeri added that a farce is based on timing, with doors needing to slam at the right time and actors needing to know who is supposed to be in the room at any given moment.

“It’s challenging and difficult, but we enjoy it,” Ruggeri said.

“Rehearsals can make your head spin. It’s very important to be loose and relaxed at rehearsal. It’s controlled chaos, loose but disciplined.”

Ruggeri said the payoff for all the hard work comes when the actors perform before an audience and hear laughter in all the right places.

Other cast members are Jeff Wise, who made his playhouse debut in “The Pajama Game,” as Max, an aspiring opera singer; Frederic Heringes as Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company; and Shannon Denney as Max’s fiancee, Maggie.

Rounding out the cast are Juliet Brooks, Mary Ehlinger and Eric Dieboldt.

Onstage farce

What: "Lend Me a Tenor."

Where: Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown.

When: Tuesday through Aug. 16.

Curtain times: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; and 3 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets: $32 to $28 for evenings and $28 to $15 for matinees.

Information: www.MountainPlayhouse.org or 629-9201, option 1.