rOcKS @ 'Lend Me A Tenor'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 12:14am

I'm gonna try to keep this brief but this is the most entertaining show of the season, hands down. I just had a ball at the show tonight.

The cast is very strong; they need a BIT more time to completely mesh and iron out the kinks but they are pretty wonderful right now. Justin Bartha is a real surprise, showing off some real stage chops. And Anthony LaPaglia and Tony Shalhoub are ridiculously sublime. The best person in the show, however, is Jan Maxwell. I didn't want her to leave the stage. She's hardly on the stage and she ABSOLUTELY stole the show for me. She was unbelievably wonderful.

Stanley Tucci has directed this show pretty perfectly. There are a few kinks and lulls here and there and a couple of jokes that aren't totally set up flawlessly, but this will come in time. He does keep the show moving at a brisk pace and keeps the door-slamming hilarity perfectly-timed. He really knew what he was doing here, and does it fabulously.

The set is perfect for the show. I had a few issues with hearing, mainly with Shalhoub in the first half. I don't know if it was HIM or the sound system but I had a little trouble hearing/understanding him during the first act.

All in all, this is a really fun, really entertaining, and really enjoyable show. I think it's gonna be a big hit. Productions like this, with casts like this, providing as much unadulterated joy as this show is, reaffirm my love for live theater. I had a wonderful time at the show this evening, as did the rest of the audience it seemed, and I really can't wait to return.

***1/2 out of ****

Side note: Mary Catherine Garrison broke character at the end of the second act and almost everyone onstage started laughing (or was trying their best not to). It was HILARIOUS and one of those moments that really captures what is so great about live entertainment.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 12:26am

Thanks for the review, rOcKS! I absolutely NEED to see this, having heard nothing but the best about it. Glad you had such a great evening!

[singtopher]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 12:30am

I'm so glad you enjoyed this. I hope to see this next week. I love when actors break a little. Shouldn't happen often, but it's always a treat for the audience. It's so darn entertaining!

[pli1018]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 1:29am

I was there tonight as well and that scene was HYSTERICAL. It was amazing! I too loved Maxwell and was surprised by Bartha.

For stagedoor folks the entire cast came out, (though Jennifer Laura Thompson and Mary Catherine Garrison left rather quickly)as well as Stanley Tucci (who signed) and Patricia Clarkson.

Shalhoub asked if the audience was all drunk because apparently this was the best crowd they've had yet!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 6:25am

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS!!!!!!!!! (C'mon April!)

Thanks for posting rocks!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 7:45am

Thanks for posting, I always love to read your reviews. And I completely agree with everything you said. Especially that I can't wait to return.

[Mystic Pasta]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 8:36am

I agree that Jan Maxwell is stunning. She knows how to take a phrase and turn it on it's side and make it the most hilarious thing I've ever heard. Tony Shaloub is also perfectly cast. I think Anthony Lapaglia is solid but could use some more time in front of audience. It seemed as if he was tentative at times and not having as much fun as the rest of the excellent cast. This is the perfect show for the spring. It's well paced, so funny and you leave the theater in a great mood. I plan to take my parents who are in their 60s back to see it in May.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 9:06am

I was there two nights ago and I couldn't agree more. This will win Best Revival of a Play hands down. Stanley Tucci has an excellent shot at Best Director too. What a glorious production. As soon as I walked out of the theatre, I wanted to turn around and go back in to see it again. I haven't wanted to make a return trip to a farce so soon in a long time.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 11:11am

Great Review : ) Thanks!

It is quite an enjoyable show I plan on going to see it again next month.

[Elke]

Posted: 3/19/10 at 11:25am

Thanks for the review, rOcKS... Seeing it in less than 2 weeks, can't wait!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 1:05am

Saw the matinee today...

...what a great production!!! Unless Fences proves to be incredible, this show has Best Revival of a Play in the bag. Tucci did a fabulous job with this production, and the whole thing is brilliantly cast, where there is not a weak link.

Shalhoub and Bartha make a great team. Their comedic timing was fabulous, especially Shalhoub, who surprised me by how good he was. LaPaglia is also very funny.

Jan Maxwell, whom I admit to absolutely adoring, is a riot and owns the stage whenever she's on it. I wish her role were bigger, because I spent the time she was offstage hoping she'd come back soon.

Overall, the cast plays the farce REALLY well, and their timing is all great.

This is a fabulous production that I really want to return to soon. Just wonderful!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/28/10 at 2:51am

You people are TORTURING me! Tenor is my favorite farce...I can't wait to get to this!

Less than a month, less than a month, less than a month, less than a month.....too long!!!

[James2]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 11:51pm

I saw the show today, and while I thought it was likable, I thought bits of it were a little overdone. Some of that comes from the script itself, but some of it also comes from the supporting actors. I was a little disappointed with Jan Maxwell, who was excellent last fall in "The Royal Family" but shouted too much in "Tenor" for my taste. I would still recommend this show because Justin Bartha and Tony Shalhoub are perfectly cast, but there are still some spots that could have been toned down.

Also, while I liked the rapid recap of the whole show at the start of the curtain call, does anyone know what its purpose was? I suppose it was one more big routine to finish off this big comedic production, but the blackout between it and the bows made the overall curtain call feel a little patched together instead of being one seamless sketch.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 11:54pm

"Unless Fences proves to be incredible, this show has Best Revival of a Play in the bag."

I still think VIEW will take this one.

As for Maxwell, she's a Goddess and can do no wrong. Every word she says on that stage is Tony worthy. "I'm a gonna give a you three numbers". =)

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 12:01am

Of course parts of it are overdone! It's a farce. The whole thing requires completes suspension of disbelief.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:13am

Jan Maxwell is God.

And I actually would have loved it if it was even MORE over the top! It is a farce...

The most over the top actors were the ones that I loved the most; case in point Ms. Maxwell. Just brilliant!
Updated On: 4/4/10 at 02:13 AM

[James2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 1:14pm

When I said overdone, I meant that some of the jokes and performances were too loud, especially the stuff between Maxwell and LaPaglia in Act One, Scene One. It wasn't headache-inducing, but I think it would have been funnier if they did not yell so often.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 1:23pm

...It's farce. Slamming doors, mistaken identities, lightning fast coming and going, general loudness. Louder, faster, funnier.

[[tos]fan999]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 4:42pm

God, I still wish I lived near NYC. I was technical director for this show at my high school and I absolutely fell in love with it, my favorite part being the recap at the end. I might just have to plan a NYC day from my trip to the Jersey Shore this summer.

[James2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 6:14pm

I didn't realize the recap was part of the actual script. I'm still not sure why it's in there, but at least I know it's not something Tucci invented.

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 4/25/10 at 11:23pm

everyone, thanks! i just got us tickets to see it on 6/19. i was afraid that it might become yet another victim of the economy. before i read all your favorable reviews, i was frightened that it might perhaps close before the TONYs.

it sounds as though the show is selling well and now may even be nominated. i HOPE it plays through 6/19! LOL