Give Ken Ludwig eight actors, two rooms, and six doors, and he'll write you a comedy with hilarity enough to send anyone to the hospital. The show, winning several awards in its first run, is a beautifully crafted comedy of mistaken identity and character.

Without giving too much away, the whole affair takes place in a Cleveland, Ohio, hotel suite where Italian opera divo Tito Merelli and his wife, Maria, will stay during his run as Otello with the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Greeting him are the artistic director, Henry Saunders; his mischievous daughter, Maggie; and Saunders' bungling assistant Max. We also learn that Diana, a soprano in the company, and Julia, the well-aged Chairman of the Opera Guild, each want to better her career by spending some "quality time" with Tito. Thrown into the mix is Frank, the hotel bellhop, a huge Merelli fan who tries his best to see the tenor any way he can.

Further hysteria ensues when the star is presumed dead in his hotel room and a "suicide" note is found (actually Maria's "Dear John" note to Tito). An at-wit's-end Saunders scrambles to find a suitable solution that won't cost him his job—when he gives a good, long look at Max. After much convincing and manipulation, Max agrees to play the first and toughest role in his life: Tito himself.

Mr. Ludwig has definitely mastered the art of creating a show that never becomes old and un-funny, as is clearly seen with his chef d'œuvre, "Lend Me a Tenor".

Characters (4f/4m):

Diana
Julia
Maggie
Maria
Bellhop
Max
Saunders
Tito

Summary and Character Descriptions compiled by Kevin F. Story.

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