Lend Me A Tenor
by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Charles Tweed
March 6 - 30, 2008
1934 Cleveland and world-famous tenor Tito Merelli has come to sing. Before he can:
Max thinks Tito has committed suicide with pills; Saunders suggests Max put on Tito's
Otello costume and sing the opera; Maggie, Max's girlfriend, throws herself at Max,
thinking him Tito; and Tito is found running around the theatre in his Otello costume!
PRODUCTION PHOTOS (Coming Soon!)
THE CAST
ALEX HALL (Maggie) was the delightful Sister Mary Leo
in Nunsense this season, and made her Jewel Box
debut in Oklahoma! last season. At the Poteet Theatre,
she appeared as Winnefred in Once Upon A Mattress,
and for Carpenter Square, was seen as Nora in
Brighton Beach Memoirs. This is the first time she has
appeared on stage with her dad, Ben, playing father
and daughter, to which she says: ”I love you, Dad,
and I only learned from the best.” |
|
SCOTT HYNES (Max) received rave reviews for his
portrayal of Tony in Summerstock’s West Side Story last summer. You will remember him in our
productions of The Sound of Music, 1776, The
Fantasticks, Oklahoma!, A Grand Night for Singing,
and the world premiere of Money Matters. He has
also graced the stages of the Poteet Theatre, Kabillion
Productions, and Oklahoma City Theatre Company in
a variety of roles. His building skills were seen in
several productions at the Poteet last year. |
BEN HALL (Saunders) was named Best Male
Newcomer for Someone to Love last season in his
Jewel Box debut. He was the founding director of the
Poteet Theatre Series, a producer/director for Bignose
Productions, and is the author of two plays: RadioGod and Gifts of the Magi. He is happy to be a part of our
50th season, and finds it an extra special treat to play
father to his actual daughter, the beautiful and
talented Alex Angelynn Hall! |
RICHARD LEMIN (Tito Merelli) is repeating the role he
originated in the original 1990 production (for which he
won a Best Supporting Gem Award), and we are so
glad to have him back! He has a 1991 Best Actor Gem
for Social Security, and has directed six shows for us
over the years. Over the past 10 years, he has visited
49 of the 50 states with his wife Deborah Franklin, and
sons, Jordan and Alex. Richard has taught World
History at Deer Creek Middle School since 1995, and is
now Chairman of the history department. |
JENNIFER TEEL (Maria) will be remembered as Janis
Joplin in Beehive, for which she received a Gem
nomination. At Poteet Theatre, she was named Best
Actress as Rose Alvarez in Bye Bye Birdie. She made
her TV debut on NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, proudly
representing Oklahoma City. A stay-at-home mom to
Nathan and Sarah, she thanks her amazing husband
Craig. A big thanks to Chuck for giving her the
opportunity to have way more fun than should be
legal! To her fellow cast: “Knock ‘em dead!” |
AARON CHARTIER (Bellhop) has appeared in our
productions of Scrooge - The Musical, Oklahoma!, and
this season’s Arsenic and Old Lace. His talent has
been seen on the stages of Summerstock in West Side
Story, Grease, and Joseph/Dreamcoat, and the Poteet
Theatre in God’s Favorite and Peter Pan. In his free
time, Aaron likes to play video games, and would like
to thank his family for all their love and support. |
HELEN HOEPFNER (Diana) is reprising her role from the
2001 production. Last season, she was the Fair Witch
in Dark of the Moon. Helen most recently appeared as
Maggie in the OCTC production of Cat On A Hot Tin
Roof, and completed an intensive course at Stella
Adler in New York. Other favorite shows include: A
Couple of White Chicks, Odd Couple, Two Rooms, and
Kiss Me Kate. Currently pursuing her M.A. in Drama at
OU, she thanks Chuck for believing she can keep her
clothes on this time! |
JANE HALL (Julia) was the delightful Martha Brewster
in this season’s Arsenic and Old Lace. On stage at the
age of 2, she has mesmerized local audiences for
years in a variety of memorable roles. At Jewel Box,
she has a Best Actress Gem for 70, Girls, 70 (1993),
and a Best Supporting Actress Gem for last season’s
Someone to Love. Her personal favorite role is Roxie
Hart in our production of Chicago. Jane has appeared
on ‘Barney’ and worked on many children’s education
tapes. We absolutely adore this woman! |
THE CREW
CHARLES TWEED (Director) also directed Nunsense and Deathtrap this season. He is celebrating 30 years as
Production Director and has seen the theatre grow from
237 season patrons and 7 performances of six shows to
the present 2,879 season patrons and 19 performances.
He is very thankful to actors/directors/choreographers/volunteers, and the Jewel Box Board for the fun! To our
audiences ~ you are the very best! |
JANA HESTER (Assistant Director) began her directing
career with Chuck in the first A Few Good Men, directing
all the brig scenes. Since then, she has helped with all
his shows and directed Camping with Henry and Tom and the Gem Award-winning Tribute. A member of the
Board of Advisors, Jana has served as Co-Chair of
Season Selection for a number of years and is the
recipient of the Mary Wilber Appreciation Award. |
JAMES GORDON, Jr. (Stage Manager) has not
missed a show this season: he stage managed
Nunsense and Lend Me A Tenor, and appeared in
Deathtrap and Arsenic and Old Lace. A new
member of the Board of Advisors, he is a past
recipient of the Spotlight Award and Volunteer of the
Year. He will stage manage Will Rogers Follies at Summerstock this summer. Special thanks and love
to J.H. and P.F. |
| CHARLOTTE ROSE (Costumes) is thrilled to be back for this season of award winners. She has costumed several Jewel Box shows (Oklahoma!, Scrooge ~ The Musical, Dark of the Moon, Driving Miss Daisy, The Odd Couple) and appeared on stage for us in Harvey and in Over the River and Through the Woods and You Can’t Take it With You at the Poteet. |
| RITA ALLEN (Props) just finished props for Forever Plaid but was not let off the hook, as she does props for Chuck’s shows! A Gem Award winner for Moon Over Buffalo and Volunteer of the Year, she is on our Board of Advisors and has been on and off our stage for many years. Rita is an absolute delight to have around because of her stories and cures! |
| DAVID HESTER - Lighting/Sound Design RICHARD HOWELLS - Set Construction CARTER CAYWOOD - Program Cover Art Design BARRETT DAVIDSON - Program Layout JIM BECKEL - Publicity Pictures |