Calling all directors!

Lend Me a Tenor - Season 5, 2026​

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Written by: Ken Ludwig

​Directed by: Matthew Freeman

By Arrangement with ORiGiN™ Theatrical on behalf of Samuel French a Concord Theatricals Company

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Contact director for audition pieces

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Synopsis

Winner of three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards, Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Tenor is set in September 1934. Saunders, the general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world-famous singer Tito Merelli, known as Il Stupendo, the greatest tenor of his generation, to appear for one night only as the star of Ruggero Leoncavallo’s opera I Pagliacci.

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Tito arrives late, and through a series of mishaps, he is given a double dose of tranquilisers and passes out. His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he’s dead - and in a frantic attempt to salvage the evening, Saunders persuades Max to get into Merelli's costume and fool the audience into thinking he's Il Stupendo.

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Max succeeds and lives up to his idol, but Merelli regains consciousness and gets into the identical costume, ready to perform. Now two opera singers are running around in the same costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she is with Il Stupendo. A sensation on Broadway and in London's West End, this madcap, screwball comedy is guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter.

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Audition Information
A cast of EIGHT are required for this show, who must all show strong comedy skills in both timing and slapstick with high energy. Cast roles are below, with the ages just a recommendation. We are open to casting roles with either gender.

 

NOTE: Two of the roles, Tito and Max, are required to sing short snippets of Opera. We are more looking for gusto and enthusiasm rather than strictly talent in this regard, so please do not feel intimidated if you have not studied at a European Musical Conservatory. The song used is Dio, che nell'alma infondere from the opera Don Carlos if you would like to practice. We are also open to using professional recordings with mime if absolutely necessary.

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In addition, two of the characters (Maggie and Diana) have scenes where they are wearing 1930s-era lingerie. Actors auditioning for these roles must be comfortable with physical intimacy scenes. An intimacy coordinator will be provided.

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If you have any questions or are unable to attend the specified times, please email us.

Audition times:

• Wednesday 5th August, 7:30 pm - 10 pm

• Saturday 8th August, 1 pm - 4 pm

Audition location:

Eltham Performing Arts Centre
1603 Main Road, Research Vic

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Book an audition:

To book an audition date, visit our Trybooking page.

Audition format:

• Open auditions. We would appreciate you staying for the whole time if possible.

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Rehearsal Information:

All shows and rehearsals will be held at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Road, Research.

• Read Through - Early June 

• Rehearsals Begin - Mid June (weekdays only) 

• Expectation for Books Down - Early July 

• Add Sunday Rehearsals - Mid July

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General Cast Information​

All members of the production will be given access to well-being support, and are encouraged to report any concerns regarding the safety of the cast and/or crew.

There will be a no tolerance policy towards bullying of any sort.

Membership and Fees
All members of cast and crew are required to be members of Eltham Little Theatre. This pays for our volunteer liability insurance during the rehearsal and production period.

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For details of membership, please visit our membership page. To become a member, follow our Trybooking link.

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All adult members of cast and crew are required to have a current Working With Children (WWC) card. This will be verified prior to rehearsals commencing. Full information and application details can be found here.

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​​Character Descriptions

Tito Merelli

Male 40+

Lead

 

A life-loving, over-indulgent world-class tenor with a passion for food, wine, women, and especially opera. This actor is required to sing snatches of opera in a Tenor voice.

Max

Male 30+

Lead

 

Saunders' long-suffering assistant and Maggie's suitor, forced to take Tito's place in the role of Pagliacci. Very anxious and nebbish, but has a surprisingly decent singing voice. This actor is required to sing snatches of opera in a Tenor voice.

Henry Saunders

Male 40+

Lead

 

The Cleveland Grand Opera's general manager. Father to Maggie. A blowhard who often loses his temper at the slightest mishap. Think Frasier Crane if he ran a hotel.

Maggie

Female 25+

Supporting

 

The somewhat vapid daughter of the opera company manager, Saunders, and a bit spoiled. Max’s on-again off-again girlfriend. An enormous fan of Tito Merelli.

Maria

Female 35+

Supporting

 

Tito's long-suffering wife, with an "Italian temper". She’s a jealous, territorial, melodramatic animal, but loves Tito regardless.

Diana

Female 30+

Supporting

 

The opera's ingenue soprano, who is "flinging her way" to the top as she plays the role of “Nedda”. A seductive woman (and she knows it).

Julia

Female 50+

Featured

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Chairwoman of the Cleveland Opera Guild, who considers herself a "grande dame". She wears a silver dress which makes her look a bit like the Chrysler Building.

Bellhop
Male/Female any age

Featured

 

An obnoxious opera fan and the play’s comic relief, the bellhop keeps showing up at the hotel suite at the wrong moment, trying to get an autograph and a photo of Tito Merelli.

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