Lend Me a Tenor

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One word - HILARIOUS! Justin Bartha is phenomenal in this play. A lot of emphasis is placed on Anthony LaPaglia and Tony Shalhoub (and deservedly so...) but seriously Justin Bartha is the best part of this play. We all know and love Justin as the wisecracking sidekick Riley to Nicholas Cage in the National Treasure movies. Let's just say that he delivers on stage as well - and he sings opera! Who knew? The play is about the opera house manager (Tony Shalhoub) and his assistant (Justin Bartha) who are hosting a famous tenor (Anthony LaPaglia) in his first American performance in Cincinnati, OH. LaPaglia is a known womanizer and his wife and he have a very hilarious and angry relationship with eachother. Bartha is put in charge of watching LaPaglia until the opening curtain and of course EVERYTHING that could go wrong does. So much so that Bartha ends up standing in for LaPaglia because they think that LaPaglia killed himself, which of course he didn't. The second act has 2 tenors - LaPaglia who is still very much alive and Bartha who is pretending to be LaPaglia. While in the same hotel suite with 2 different women you can see the shenanigans that might occur. The end of the play while they take their bows is completed with a 2 minute fast forward of the entire play start to finish which is both entertaining and applause-worthy. If it is still on stage when you visit you should see it!