‘Laugh-Out-Loud’ Entertainment

Theatre Palisades’ Rendition of “A Comedy of Tenors” Opens at Pierson Playhouse

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

For those who catch a performance of “A Comedy of Tenors” at Pierson Playhouse, one thing is certain: Masks are no match for quieting audible sounds of laughter, which consistently emanate from an entertained audience.

The play, written by Ken Ludwig and published in 2016, follows the story of Henry Saunders, who works alongside his son-in-law Max, to deliver the greatest concert of all time—with just a few twists and turns that come up along the way.

“One hotel suite, four tenors, two wives, three girlfriends and a soccer stadium filled with screaming fans. What could possibly go wrong? Almost everything!” representatives from Theatre Palisades shared in a press release. “1930’s Paris is ready for the concert of the century—so long as producer Henry Saunders can keep the amorous Italian superstar, Tito, and his hot-blooded wife, Maria, from causing runway chaos. Prepare for an uproarious ride, full of mistaken identities, blissful romance and madcap delight.”

“A Comedy of Tenors”—which serves as the sequel to “Lend Me A Tenor,” performed by Theatre Palisades in spring 2019—is produced by Martha Hunter and directed by Sherman Wayne.

“One of the beautiful things about theatre is its ability to open minds to new ideas, experiences and world views,” Wayne wrote in a statement shared in the show’s program. “For just a few hours, in a darkened theatre, the audience has a chance to forget about the problems of the world. In farce, it is also a chance to feel relieved that you don’t have the ridiculous problems of those characters up on the stage.”

Wayne explained that the show remains true to the definition of a farce: “a comic dramatic piece that uses highly improbable situations; an exaggerated comedy based on broadly humorous, highly unlikely situations.”

In the program, Theatre Palisades Board of Directors President Philip Bartolf wrote the theater is “closely monitoring” health guidelines put in place by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Subject to change, based on future guidelines, theatergoers are required to provide proof of vaccination, with the cast, crew and volunteer staff fully vaccinated as well.

Audience members are also required to wear a mask while inside the theater.

“We recognize that resuming live theater with a pandemic still underway presents new challenges for all of us,” Bartolf wrote. “We ask everyone to be understanding, kind and gracious as we return to the playhouse and offer high-quality shows at affordable prices.”

A Review of the Show

Following the successful run of “Lend Me A Tenor,” “A Comedy of Tenors” delivered on its promise of being another “laugh-out-loud play” penned by Ludwig. From the first moments of the play through the last, there was always something comical to catch—triggering cascades of laughter in the audience.

Set in “an elegant hotel suite” in 1936, the play is split into two acts, set 10 minutes apart, with three scenes total. Saunders (Greg Abbott) is billed with bringing a sold-out “Three Tenors” concert to life, featuring some of the biggest talents in the world, including Tito Merelli (Peter Miller). The only problem is, for various reasons, all three quit, leaving him with his son-in-law, Max (Michael Osborn), and just hours left before the curtain is scheduled to go up.

Together, they employ Tito look-alike bellhop Beppo (Evan Valencia) to trick the audience into thinking the lead tenor is still a part of the show. Beppo, trying out his newly found fame, gets distracted by Tito’s wife, Maria (Maria O’Connor), mistress—and formidable soprano talent—Racon (Laura Preston) and daughter Mimi (Rivers Cassedy).

The level of drama these eight characters create in such a short amount of time may be dizzying, but it remains entertaining throughout.

Abbott returned to his role of Saunders, mastering the range of emotions the concert producer must have been feeling as he watched his show go from star studded to an impending disaster, and back again. From his relationship with his son-in-law/employee Max to how he interacted with the talent, Abbott remained a firecracker and a force on stage.

Max, played by Osborn, served as a calming agent for Saunders when the going got tough, navigating a complicated relationship with his father-in-law/boss, while also trying to become a performer himself and help his wife back in the United States while she reached the end of a pregnancy.

O’Connor and Miller nailed their roles as husband and wife, Maria and Tito Merelli, respectively—both of which were reprised roles from “Lend Me A Tenor.” Often filled with love, paired with a dash of resentment, the drama and turmoil within their marriage matched what was going on with the concert itself.

From the first signs of troubled water, audience members were left wondering: How is this going to end? As the misunderstanding between the two, as well as their daughter, Mimi, and her boyfriend Carlo (Dante Greco), another tenor and performer in the concert, built, there was a lesson to be learned in the art of communication by all of the characters.

Greco, who grew up in Pacific Palisades, is a graduate of Palisades Charter High School and shared that he is “elated” to be making his debut at Theatre Palisades with “such a wonderful company.”

Later in the show, Racon and Beppo entered the fold, further complicating an already contentious dynamic between each of the members of the family plus Carlo, all while Saunders and Max tried to keep their tenors under control.

Beppo, a widowed bellhop-turned-tenor, was an entertaining counterpart to his doppelgänger, Tito, with a personality that marked a complete 180 from the original singer—but just as much talent.

Preston performed well in the role of Racon, a mistress of Tito and eventually Beppo who, fitting the theme of the show, over-delivered on her emotions as she thought she was on her way to something serious with her lover.

One of the best aspects of the show was the suspense of truly not knowing how it would end. A happy resolution seemed so far out of reach for the characters—but theatergoers will have to see for themselves how it all comes together.

It is worth shouting out the costume design team: Alta Abbott and Maria O’Connor. Throughout the show, the shiny jewelry and formal dresses of the female characters matched the over-the-top personalities they were portraying perfectly.

“A Comedy of Tenors” will run through December 12, with shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission, $20 for seniors and students. There is free parking available on site.

Pierson Playhouse is located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road, just south of Sunset Boulevard.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.com or call 310-454-1970.