Comedic farces ‘Lend Me A Tenor’ on stage in Whitefish

The classic comedy “Lend Me A Tenor,” known for leaving audiences teary-eyed with laughter, comes to the stage as presented by the Whitefish Theater Company this month.  

This madcap, screwball comedy opens with a sneak preview night on April 10 7:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. Performances continue April 11-12 and April 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on April 13 at 4 p.m. 

Winner of three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards, Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor” takes place inside a two-room hotel suite in Cleveland, Ohio in September 1934. Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world-famous singer Tito Merelli, known as “Il Stupendo” and the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as the star of the opera. When Tito arrives late, however, and through a hilarious series of mishaps appears to have died, the employees’ frantic attempt to salvage the evening leads to disguises, love affairs, mistaken identities, and all of the comedic mayhem that playwright Ken Ludwig is famous for.  

Called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by critics and audiences since its debut over 30 years ago, “Lend Me A Tenor” is a rollercoaster of fun . 

“Laughter is good medicine,” says Director Linda Grinde. “’Lend Me A Tenor’ is a classic farce, where zany characters, caught in a tangle of confusion and a predicament they cannot control, respond with exaggerated emotions and slapstick physical comedy.” 

Grinde, who is based out of Missoula, has been directing at Whitefish Theatre Company since 1989, and “Lend Me A Tenor” will be her ninth production with the theater company. 

“I hope we make you laugh with this show and that viewers carry that laughter out of the theater and into an all too serious world,” she said.  

The cast is comprised of eight actors from around the Flathead Valley. Starring in “Lend Me A Tenor” is Ethan Lopez as Max, Lavena James as Maggie, Jack Eaton as Saunders, Jesse Nelson as Tito Merelli, Sarah Ghostlight as Maria, Titus Bertelsen as the Bellhop, Amy Galt as Diana, and Patty Thiel as Julia.  

“Thanks to my talented cast for all the laughter-filled rehearsals,” said Grinde. “I can’t think of a better way to spend a few weeks than making funny scenes with funny people.” 

Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students with reserved seating. Tickets for the preview performance are sold only at the door and are $12 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org, at the Box Office at 1 Central Avenue in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance.  

This show is sponsored by Glacier Bank and Masterpiece Carpet One.