AUDITIONS
GHENT PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES
OPEN AUDITIONS FOR
LEND ME A TENOR
Written by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Ed Dignum
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, and WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2024
7:00 p.m.
At The Ghent Playhouse
6 Town Hall Place
Ghent, NY 12075
The Ghent Playhouse announces auditions for Ken Ludwig’s hilarious comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, to be directed by Ed Dignum.
Ken Ludwig’s Tony Award-winning play takes place in 1934 on the biggest night in the history of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. World-famous tenor, Tito Merelli will perform his greatest role ever at their gala season opener. But, Tito’s late arrival is just the start of the mayhem that ultimately ensues in this uproarious, fast-paced comedy.
PERFORMANCE DATES:
February 7-16, 2024
Friday and Saturday Evenings at 7:30 pm
Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm
Preview Performance: Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 pm
CHARACTER INFO:
HENRY SAUNDERS (50’s-60’s) – General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company and father to Maggie. A blowhard, who loses his temper at the slightest mishap.
*MAX (30’s-40’s) - Saunders’ long-suffering assistant and Maggie’s suitor; forced to take Tito’s place in the role of Pagliacci.
MAGGIE SAUNDERS (30’s-40’s) - Saunders’ daughter and Max’s girlfriend; she has great admiration for Tito Merelli.
*TITO MERELLI (40’s-60’s) – The world’s most renowned opera tenor and notorious ladies man.
MARIA MERELLI (40’s-60’s) – Tito’s long-suffering wife with an “Italian temper.” She leaves Tito early in the play, but ultimately returns to him. Despite his philandering, Maria loves Tito.
DIANA (20’s-40’s) – The Opera’s ingénue soprano, who is “flinging her way” to the top. A seductive woman (and she knows it).
JULIA (50’s-60’s) – Chairwoman of the Cleveland Opera Guild, who considers herself a “grande dame.” She wears a silver dress, which Saunders says, makes her look “like the Chrysler Building.”
*THE BELLHOP (no particular age) – A comic relief character who has an ongoing feud with Saunders. An obnoxious opera fan, he keeps showing up at the Merelli’s hotel suite, at the wrong moment, trying to get an autograph and photo of Tito.
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ROLES OF MAX, TITO AND THE BELLHOP REQUIRE SOME BRIEF SINGING
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
THOSE INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING, WHO MAY BE YOUNGER OR OLDER THAN THE AGES LISTED, BUT FEEL THEY COULD PLAY THE ROLE EFFECTIVELY, ARE STRONGLY URGED TO AUDITION.
THE GHENT PLAYHOUSE WELCOMES AUDITIONERS OF ALL AGES, GENDERS, ETHNICITIES AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES. NON-TRADITIONAL CASTING WILL BE OBSERVED.
THOSE INTERESTED IN AUDITIONING WILL BE ASKED TO READ SCENES FROM THE SCRIPT.
THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE WILL BE BASED UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF THOSE WHO ARE CAST. THEREFORE, AUDITIONERS ARE REQUESTED TO BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE IN LISTING ANY AND ALL CONFLICTS ON THEIR AUDITION APPLICATION.
For more information, please contact the director, Ed Dignum, at (518) 791-4034, or by email at edwarddignum7@gmail.com