By Richard Pacheco
The current
production at Ocean State Theatre is feisty and full of energy, loaded with
laughs thanks to strong direction and excellent performances. The Ken Ludwig
comedy received nine Tony nominations when it played in New
York. The play is set in 1934 in Cleveland
for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.
The
Cleveland Grand Opera Company has booked the famous Italian tenor Tito Merelli
to sing the lead in Verdi's "Otello." But Merelli takes an extra dose
of sedative to calm down and they think he is dead. In a fit of panic, the head
of the opera house, Henry Saunders sends his relentless assistant, an aspiring
opera singer, Max, off to pretend to be Merelli and sing in his place. In the
middle of this mess, Merelli wakes up and now there are two men in blackface
and Othello costumes running around the hotel, darting in and out of bathrooms
and closets to avoid an irate wife and some horny female opera singers. It all grows increasingly outrageous with each
passing minute.
Nick
Gaswirth is Max. the wannabe opera star and assistant. He is mild mannered and
insecure expect for caring about Maggie, Saunder’s daughter and about being
passionate about singing opera and being a star. Gaswirth is right on the mark
as the timid man propelled into the
middle of his wildest dream by a quirk in circumstance.
The
imported Italian Opera star Tito Merelli is a total womanizer, a man of talent
and huge appetites, mostly sexual. He is a hopeless flirt and his actions
infuriate his wife constantly firing her hot temper to new explosions of rage
and distrust. Bruce Sabbath is Merelli
and he plays him with panache and flair, full of energy and as a relentless
womanizer.
Although
this is not a musical, there is a point where Gaswirth and Sabath sing a Verdi
suet together and it is well done, very enjoyable.
Alexander
Cook is Saunders, the head of the Cleveland Opera. He is the epitome of classic
restraint except when he loses it when he thinks Tito is dead. He is a sharp,
hard edged businessman and Cook plays him well, full of firm confidence and a
sense of control.
Gerianne
Genga is Merelli’s flamboyant and passionate wife with her jealous streak,
Maria. She is a bundle of energy and raw passions as she rants and rambles
about with her jealously running amok. Genga is right on the mark in the role, a
madcap mixture of passion and zest.
Elizabeth
Boyke is Maggie, Saunder’s daughter who is intrigued fascinated and in awe of
the famous Merelli, opera star. She wants to have a fling before she settles
down with Max, so why not with a famous opera star? She is an innocent held
spellbound by the pull of famous star, attracted into his orbit, under his
spell. Boyke is wonderful as the innocent wanting to go awry for a famous
fling.
Rochelle
Weinrauch is Diana who sings opposite Merilli as Desdemona, and is enamored of
him as much as Maggie. She is enticing and seductive, shimmering an elegance
and finesse and high style as she zooms in like a black widow to get what she
wants. Weinrauch is delightful in the role, full of zest and sultry finesse.
Maria
Tavarozzi is Julia, a snooty grand supporter of the opera. Tavarozzi is a
delight in her sliver wig and haughty demeanor, a joy to watch.
Finally is
Kevin Broccoli as the opera loving bellhop, whose passion for opera nearly
exceeds those of the singers. Broccoli is a comic gem in the role bringing just
the right touches to it with superb comic timing.
The
direction by Kevin Pariseau is impeccable and meticulous. He is always aware of
pace and keeps it moving merrily along. It is sheer fun from beginning to end,
a delight to watch.
The hotel
art deco set by Amanda Hall and the costumes by Ryan J. Moller are sheer
delight, true to era and exquisite.
Lend Me
a Tenor" runs through April 19 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245
Jefferson Blvd., Warwick.
Tickets are $34-$49. Call (401) 921-6800, or visit oceanstatetheatre.org.
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