Need Comedic Relief? Watch Troy Athens' Fall Play

Troy Athens Theatre Company decided to go in a different direction for their fall play this year and will be tackling a comedy, which will debut Friday night.

Lend Me a Tenor is the "really funny’" play that the theater group decided to undertake this year. According to Sarah Zarbaugh, 17-year-old senior at playing the part of Diana, this will be the first year since she has been a part of the theater program that the group dropped the dramatic plays, and went for something new. Last year the group performed The Crucible and the year before did A Christmas Carol.

“I like how this is a lot different. We are able to enjoy ourselves a lot and having us enjoy ourselves makes the play even better,” Zarbaugh said.

The play revolves around an opera performance by tenor Tito Morelli, who is supposed to be singing "Otello." After a series of events, the famous Tito is believed to be dead and wakes up to find an aspiring singer, Max, stepping up to take over his performance of "Otello."

Director Krista Manfredi, who has directed the drama productions at Troy Athens for the past 38 years, noted that the cast has been working hard and been having a lot of fun. The cast is made up of eight students, along with a variety of students working on stage management and set crew. She noted the group of students who have been working on the performance since October is a "pretty seasoned group."

One of the leads is Krista’s son, Logan, who plays the part of Max. Logan, like the majority of the cast members, is a senior and is equally thrilled with the play selection this year.

“There’s a lot of really good humor in it, some innuendos, but things people will understand and really enjoy,” Logan said.

Having a small cast is beneficial Logan said, because it allows them "to really bring out the characters and roles." Fellow cast member and senior Mitch Aiello, who plays the part of Tito, agreed.

“My favorite part is the fact that each of us have spent so much time working on our individual characters,” Aiello said. “I think everyone in the audience will leave the theater with a smile on their face.”

According to Krista, the highlight of the play is at the very end when the cast does the entire show in 1.5 minutes.

“It’s hard to find this kind of entertainment – especially for the money,” Krista said. “It will be just a nice, fun, night to come and laugh.”

Tickets to the play are still available and can be purchased at the door or by calling the main office at (248) 823-2914. Play dates are scheduled for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 at 8:01 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 3 as well at Troy Athens High Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and $7 for students.