AT THE MASQUERS
By Deirdre Cerkanowicz 
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     Lend Me a Tenor, a two-time Tony award winning comedy, opened at the 
Masquers Playhouse on August 19. Called "the most outrageous and funny 
comedy to land on Broadway since Noises Off" by one New York critic. The 
time is 1934 and this delightful farce centers on a sold-out concert, a 
money hungry impresario, an indisposed Italian tenor and his unlikely 
replacement.
     Director Joan Nelson demanded the most in perfect timing from her cast. 
The mildmannered Max, played by Scott Campbell, comes into his own by the 
end of the play. Don Waight, whom regulars will remember from Kismet, was 
back with even more flair, and Marguerite Hughes was the perfect enraged 
wife for his philandering. Christine Dove as the sexy and persuasive Diane 
was the perfect counterpoint to Elizabeth Rodgers as the innocent Maggie. 
Virginia Cherniak was quite the elegant, yet young-at heart patroness of  the
opera, while Robert  WoodUs Saunders made a great cold-hearted  impresario.
The star-struck bellhop, Robert Love, was annoyingly wonderful.      Tenor's
host of double entendres and use of expletives might not be  suitable for
youngsters, but it certainly had the audience in throes of  laughter and
suspense. The cast looks likes it is having as much fun as  the audience, so
if they donUt collapse from exhaustion, then Tenor will  have an enjoyable
run. DonUt worry if you miss something the first time --   you'll have a
"second chance."
     Lend Me a Tenor plays every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00 p.m., 
through October 1, with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m on August 28, September 
11 and 25. Tickets are $8.00 each, with a special discount for groups of 25
or more. For more information call (510) 232-4031. 



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