Kirk Players' 'Lend Me a Tenor' to close season

The Kirk Players will present the final show of their 46th season, "Lend Me a Tenor", on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Mundelein High School Theatre.

A matinee is also planned for Saturday, June 9 at 2 p.m.

"Lend Me a Tenor," winner of three Tony Awards, written by Ken Ludwig, is set in the 1930s.

Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, played by Kirk Player Jeff Harding, is primed to welcome world famous Tito Morelli, the greatest tenor of his generation, played by Kirk Player Dominick Basso, to appear for one night only as Otello.

The star, known as Il Stupendo, arrives late, and through a hilarious series of mishaps, is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out. In a frantic attempt to save the evening, Saunders persuades his assistant, Max, played by Nicholas Huebner of Barrington, to get into Morelli's Otello costume and fool the audience into thinking he is the great Il Stupendo.

What ensues is sheer nonstop, madcap farce, sure to leave the audience teary-eyed with laughter.

"Rehearsals have been so much fun," said Kirk Player director Mary Jo Pippenger, a teacher at Fremont Center School. "This group of actors has melded into a terrific ensemble - so focused and creative. It's so much fun to see the actors develop their own farcical bits."

In addition to Harding, Huebner and Basso, Kirk Players Jayme Marsh, Jessica Stowe, Kat Basso, Mike Lieberman and guest performer, AnnMarie Conard of Lake Zurich, add to the screwball comedy.

Assisting Pippenger with the direction of "Lend Me a Tenor" is Kirk Player, Jenny Tomlin. Stage manager duties are being handled by Kirk Player Brian Motyka, while Kirk Player Brenda Sparks leads technical direction and set design.

Costume design is handled by Fred Vipond, props mistress is Fran Hansen, lighting design is Dave Kennebeck and sound design is James Torbeck, all Kirk Players.

Tickets are available on line at www.kirkplayers.org.