Infectious Joy Is Tenor of ‘Tenor’

Slight farces and comedies, such as Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor,” along with plays by Neil Simon, George Kaufman, et al, are deceptive in their seeming simplicity, for they are full of potholes for unwary directors and actors. They’re harder to pull off than “Macbeth.”

It’s always a pleasure to see a play of this mold produced with such attention to detail, and with such insights into the inner workings of a comedic script as Jack Millis’ staging of “Tenor,” at the Huntington Beach Playhouse.

It could be used as a textbook on how to make comedy work.

Nothing is overdone, though Millis dices dangerously close at moments, and the timing throughout is flawless. In a show that rarely fails to get its laughs, this revival gets guffaws that almost stop the show, and the obvious joy of the cast is infectious.

The plot is simple. In 1934 the Cleveland Opera Company is expecting internationally famous tenor Tito Merelli to appear as Othello. He arrives, but is quickly mistaken for dead in his hotel bed, and of course someone must stand in for him. Will someone lend the opera a tenor? The resulting comedy of errors holds no surprises for fans of this genre, but when it’s staged with such style and wit it becomes a surprise in itself.

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Millis has cast the production impeccably. This is the third production of “Tenor” (at various theaters) for which Millis has used Scott Ruiz and Kyle Myers as Tito and Max, the unknown singer who goes on for Tito. It proves that practice often does make perfect. Ruiz’s fine voice (Myers’ ain’t bad, either) makes him a believable opera legend, and their ease with the comic style makes it all look much easier than it really is.

Michael Ross, as Cleveland Opera’s general manager Saunders, blusters in fine fettle, with double takes that are as funny as Ludwig’s dialogue. As his daughter, Maggie, who--like all women--has a mammoth crush on Tito, Kristina Leach is wonderful, a sheer delight in her authentic period comic stylization.

Kathy Simmons, as Tito’s wife, with bee-stung lips that pout independently of her expression, and Adriana Sanchez as the Cleveland Desdemona who wants to use Tito to get to the Met, are funny and adorable at the same time.

Terri Miller Schmidt as the randy chairman of the Opera Guild, and Damien Lorton as a giddy Bellhop who also has a crush on Tito, round out a fine and funny cast.

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* “Lend Me a Tenor,” Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $11-$13. Ends Feb. 8. (714) 375-0696. Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Kyle Myers: Max

Kristina Leach: Maggie

Michael Ross: Saunders

Scott Ruiz: Tito Merelli

Kathy Simmons: Maria

Damien Lorton: Bellhop

Adriana Sanchez: Diana

Terri Miller Schmidt: Julia

A Huntington Beach Playhouse revival of Ken Ludwig’s comedy. Produced by Bill Verhaegen. Directed by Jack Millis. Scenic design: Linda Garen Smith. Lighting design: John Fejes. Costumes: Larry Watts. Stage manager: Verlene Van Amber.