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Carpenter Square Theatre continues its 37th Season with “Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors,” a fast-paced farce set in Paris in 1936 on the day of “the concert of the century.” The comedy plays February 26-March 20, 2021 at the theater located at 800 W. Main in downtown Oklahoma City. One hotel suite, four tenors, two wives, three girlfriends, and a soccer stadium filled with screaming fans. What could possibly go wrong? It’s Paris 1936 and Olympic Stadium is set for the concert of the century – as long as producer Henry Saunders can keep Italian superstar Tito Merelli and his hot-blooded wife, Maria, from causing runaway chaos. Prepare for an uproarious ride full of mistaken identities, bedroom hijinks, surprises galore, wagging tongues, and madcap delight.
Director Rhonda Clark has assembled an ensemble of actors from central Oklahoma for the fast-paced fun. Terry Veal plays the hapless producer, Henry Saunders, with Peter Fischaber as his assistant and wannabe opera star. Ed Spinelli takes the stage as opera star Tito Merelli with Christine Lanning as his sparring wife, Maria. Their daughter (and aspiring actress) is portrayed by Shelby Love Cargill, with Keegan Zimmerman as her boyfriend and her father’s opera rival, (which creates a fiery family squabble). Katy Christie Hayes surprises Tito as his old flame Tatiana Raćon, another renowned opera singer. Ford Filson assists as stage manager. Ben Hall is in charge of the set, and Jay C. Schardt is the lighting designer. Rhonda Clark also serves as the costume designer.
Over the years, Carpenter Square has produced several of Ken Ludwig’s comedies, including “The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays.” “A Fox on the Fairway,” and “Leading Ladies.” Mr. Ludwig has had 6 shows on Broadway and 7 in London's West End, and many of his works have become a standard part of the American repertoire. His “Lend Me a Tenor” won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. “Crazy For You” was on Broadway for 5 years and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. In addition, he has won two Olivier Awards (England’s highest theater honor), two Helen Hayes Award, the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year, and the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theater. His newest play, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” which tells the story of his parents' courtship during World War II, won the 2020 Helen Hayes/MacArthur Award for Best New Play or Musical. His book “How To Teach Your Children Shakespeare,” published by Penguin Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year, and his essays are published by the Yale Review.
“A Comedy of Tenors” is rated PG-13. Specific performance dates and times over four weeks are: 8 p.m. February 26-27 and March 5-6; 7:30 p.m. March11, 8 p.m. March 12-13, 2 p.m. March 14, 7:30 p.m. March 18, and 8 p.m. March 19-20.
The comedy is supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Inasmuch Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, and Allied Arts. Season Sponsors include Mel and Cindy Ables, Ed and Janet Bucknell, Tom and Linda Cowley, the Slater Family Fund, and Ed and Jennifer Spinelli. Costume Sponsors are Bill and Nancy Majors and Hank and Joanie Batty. Cast Sponsors are the Ables and the Battys. The show’s Ticket Sponsors are John and Marsha Greiner and Don and Debbie Nevard.
Regular adult tickets are $30 with $25 tickets available for seniors aged 62 or more, military, and groups of ten or more. Educator tickets are $10 and students are only $5. Two-for-one tickets may be purchased when presenting the Allied Arts City Card or when attending Thursday evening performances. Reservations are highly recommended for the intimate theater, as the theater will only be seating 30% of the house to accommodate for social distancing. All patrons are required to wear masks in order to attend. For tickets, call 405-232-6500 or email [email protected]. Visit www.carpentersquare.com for more information.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Carpenter Square Theatre, Venue: 800 W Main (Mailing: 806 W Main), Oklahoma City, OK 73106, United States