Audiences at “Lend Me a Tenor” might want to bring tissues, as they can expect tears of laughter while watching the non-stop action on stage.
The production, directed by Christopher Schager, will run Thursday through Sunday at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center.
This classic American farce opens in a hotel room. The manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company waits to welcome world famous opera singer Tito Morelli, who is set to perform for one night as Otello. The star arrives late and, through a series of mishaps, is given a double dose of Valium and passes out. In order to save the night, the manager persuades his assistant to portray Otello. The assistant succeeds, but Morelli revives and starts to perform in his costume as well. This results in two Otellos running around on stage in true comedic fashion.
Actors of Lend Me a Tenor rehearse their performance Tuesday night at the Powerhouse. (Photo by: Cameron Brooks)
Jim Shollenberger chose “Lend Me a Tenor” and planned to direct it; however, Schollenberger, a longtime member of the Ole Miss Theatre Department and Oxford community, died on Jan. 30. Before his death, he asked Christopher Schager to take over.
“Jim was very close to this play. He asked me to be a part of this play specifically with him,” stage manager Marya Paolillo said. “Christopher Schager has done a great job taking over, and I know Jim is proud watching.”
This play is special for Schager, because during graduate school, he was stage manager when Schollenberger directed it at the university.
“Now he is directing this show, and Jim asked him to,” Paolillo said. “This has kind of come full circle for Christopher.”
“Jim was a beloved professor, mentor and friend,” Schager, one of the creators of Theatre Oxford, said.
The production boasts two Ole Miss alumni , including director Schager, and two current Ole Miss students.
“Community theatre has to be run by the community,” Schager said. “Around 35 people were involved with making this thing happen. That’s really what it takes to bring the community together. The patrons are also involved. Without an audience, we are not doing anything. That’s our power. Theatre is collective. We give, and they give. You give nothing to the screen, and it doesn’t care. It’s a lot of hard work and the people involved cranked this out in four and a half weeks. It was pretty tough, and this production would not have happened without the assistance of Ole Miss and the community.”
“It’s all volunteer,” Paolillo said. “We have to use our sources here, and we love the random talent we get. We get to showcase talent throughout the area.”
Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor” will be presented by Theatre Oxford on Feb. 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on February 14.
