Lend Me a Tenor

Ken Ludwig’s Broadway masterpiece “Lend Me a Tenor” takes place in The Cleveland Grand Opera Company. The story revolves around the main character Tito. Being the greatest operatic tenor of the time, he is to perform the role of Otello in their gala performance.

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When he arrives at the hotel, Tito strongly needs to relax before his evening performance. Here comes Maggie, Mr. Sauders’ daughter who has been daydreaming Tito to be her matinee idol. She hides herself in the closet inside Tito’s room. Unfortunately, his hot-headed wife Maria finds her hiding. Thinking her husband is cheating on her, Maria goes out angrily, leaving her husband a good-bye note.

Tito, being so tired takes several sleeping pills. However, Max the assistant of Mr. Saunders slips additional pills with his wine. As a result, Max and Mr. Saunders fail to wake Tito for his performance. Seeing a good-bye note from his wife, which they mistaken to be a suicide note, they think Tito is dead.

To save the company’s reputation and not ruin the company’s finances, they decide to have Max go on as Tito for the role of Otello. Max puts on the complete costume of Otello, with wig and dark makeup and performs so well on the theatre that all are deceived.

When Tito has regained consciousness, he hurries to the theatre. But everyone thinks of him as an impostor. The policeman chases the poor Tito. He luckily makes his escape. He goes back to the hotel with his Otello getup with wig, costume and make-up identical with Max’s. Then a comedy twist takes place in the hotel with two identical Otello. In hopes of sleeping with Tito, the flirtatious Maggie seduces Max, the fake Otello and her ignored boyfriend.

Later, Maggie realizes she loves Max. Maria forgives Tito. The gala  successful. All is right in the end then.