Tenor, Anyone? OLRC Opens Fourth Show of the Season

 Utah State University’s Old Lyric Repertory Company presents its fourth play of the season, the farce “Lend Me a Tenor,” opening July 11, and continuing July 12 and 14 then continuing in repertory with the other productions. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. with select matinee performances at 2 p.m., including July 14.
           
“This show was a hit in the 1994 summer season and I wanted to do it again because it is hilarious,” said Dennis Hassan, artistic director of the OLRC and professor in the Caine College of the Arts at USU.
           
W. Vosco Call directs “Lend Me a Tenor” and is the founding director of the OLRC. Call has worked with the OLRC since he established it in 1966, and this is his second time directing the production.
           
“This show was a big success when we first did it and we are excited to produce it again,” said Call. “Lego Louis was a perfect Italian tenor, and we have him back this year to play Tito Merelli once more.”
           
In classic farce form, there is much going on behind the scenes in preparation of the Cleveland Opera’s gala fundraiser. That’s the premise and set up for “Lend Me a Tenor.” It’s the story of Tito Merelli, diva opera star, and his insanely jealous wife.
           
There are mistaken identities, inflated egos and a group of devoted female fans hiding in closets, under beds and around every corner that will leave audiences gasping for breath, said Hassan.
           
Sponsored by the Mary Palmer Collection at S.E. Needham’s, the farce is a nod to the madcap screwball comedies of the 1930s.
           
“Lend Me a Tenor” is rated intermediate for mild language and sexual references. The show is not recommended for families or children under 16 years of age.
           
This summer marks the 46th season of the OLRC. Six shows are being produced between June and August, featuring “Steel Magnolias,” “Private Lives,” “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Greater Tuna” and “Charlotte’s Web.” Each show runs on selected dates June through August and is performed in the Caine Lyric Theater, located at 28 W. Center Street in Logan.
           
Tickets for OLRC productions can be purchased by visiting the Caine College of the Arts Box Office at Utah State University in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center, open 9 a.m.­-noon, Monday through Friday, by calling 435-797-8022 or online at the Caine College of the Arts website (arts.usu.edu). Tickets are also available at the Caine Lyric Theatre, from noon-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and an hour prior to curtain on show nights. Individual ticket prices range from $18-$25 for adults, $15-$21 for seniors and USU faculty and staff and $12-$18 for USU students and youth.
           
More information about the Old Lyric Repertory Company and its 2012 season is online at the OLRC website (arts.usu.edu/lyric).