Student Theatre Review: Bethesda-Chevy Chase's 'Lend Me a Tenor' Strikes the Right Note

Student Theater ReviewThursday, March 13, 2008Panicked assistants, enraged managers and a rather confused tenor ran frantically across the Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School stage over the weekend in an excellent performance of "Lend Me A Tenor," Ken Ludwig's hilarious play about comic confusion and what happens when a seemingly perfect plan goes terribly wrong.In the show, Max (Joey Dillon) is madly in love with Maggie (Lily Karlin), his boss's daughter. But she is obsessed with Tito Merelli (Greg Atkin), a famous opera singer whom she will soon have the chance to meet. Then, when Tito suddenly dies, only hours before he is expected to sing in a performance, Max and his boss hatch a plan to save the show. But they realize they jumped in over their heads when Tito shows up alive.Although all the performers were outstanding, the three most enjoyable actors were Dillon, Atkin and Zach Weinberg as Saunders, Max's boss.All of these roles were demanding, but the actors pulled off memorable performances.Another highlight of the show was the scenery. Although it was simple and barely changed at all throughout the performance, it was well made and accented the action and excitement of the story. Its many doors and hiding places worked in harmony to hide and expose the characters at just the right moments.The cast and crew of Bethesda-Chevy Chase's "Lend Me A Tenor" pulled off an exciting and action-filled performance that left the audience laughing.Monica LarravideEinstein High School