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Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast Lend Me a Tenor Also see Bill's review of The Chosen
Comedy, especially farce, is very difficult to play well, so a production as good as this one—and it is very good—is a treat. The Players did Lend Me a Tenor in 2009 with most of the same cast, so this year is being referred to as version 2.0. Jeffrey Kin is excellent as Max, the milquetoast general factotum to opera director Henry Saunders and in love with Saunders' daughter Maggie. Jeff has proven to be outstanding as Artistic Director of The Players, liked by everyone, he has expanded the programs and offerings at the theater and produced many seasons of great shows, but this has kept him off the boards. Based on this performance, that has been a great loss. His comic timing is sharp. He shows outstanding physical prowess, so much so that his legs should receive separate billing. Bob Trisolini who plays Henry Saunders and Berry Ayers playing Tito Merelli both have long histories with Jeff and The Players. Bob has directed many shows, while Berry has performed, directed and appeared as his alter ego Beneva Fruitville at Drag Queen Bingo. The chemistry between these three is strong. A scene where Merelli tries to get Max, a wanna-be tenor, to relax so his vocal chords will be relaxed is a highlight among many highlights. Bob Trisolini does a lot of running in and out of the proceedings, not bad for a 75 year old, as he told a patron in the lobby after the show (he looks 10 years or more younger). Amanda Heisey is love interest Maggie Saunders, sweet and spicy at the same time. Kaylene McCaw, another staffer for The Players, is Tito's put-upon wife Maria. The fright wig and the most ugly hat I think I've ever seen (intentional) are alone worth the price of admission. Patti O'Berg is marvelously seductive in the role of Julia, head of the Opera Guild. Still, I couldn't help but notice that in an all star production this role would be played by a 20-years-younger Betty White. In her entrance scene, modeling a dress from Paris which she describes at haute couture, the audience falls in love with her. Ross Boehringer as The Bellhop adds a great deal to the merriment as he keeps popping up wanting an autograph or photo of Merelli. Lilian Moore as the man eating diva is very good, but the role does not give her many opportunities. Kyle Ennis Turoff has taken over director's duties for Lend Me a Tenor 2.0. Her mother Roberta McDonald was at the helm for the earlier incarnation. At the end of the show when all is resolved (BIG SPOILER ALERT!), the cast returns and at double-time reproduces the comic highlights in four minutes of Marx Brothers pandemonium. It is a spectacular ending to an already very funny night. Costumes by Kaylene McCaw are effective for the period and zany at the same time. Original set design by Matthew Nitsch works well to house the action. Lighting design by Bill Najmy and prop design by Martha Kesler are both effective. If your taste in theater runs to comedy, don't miss The Players' Lend Me a Tenor. Lend Me a Tenor, through September 21, 2014, at The Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL. Box Office (941) 365-2494. For more information visit www.theplayers.org. Cast:
Director: Kyle Ennis uroff
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