REVIEW: Walpole Footlighters Production of Ken Ludwig's A Comedy of Tenors

Based on Friday night's performances, director Sheila Kelleher has guided a talented and capable cast in a Walpole Footlighters production of Ken Ludwig's A Comedy of Tenors, hitting the right notes in delivering the laughs.

A beautiful, well-lit set and costume design successfully place the story in 1930s Paris, while the actors adeptly navigate Ms. Kelleher’s direction of numerous fast-paced entrances and exits. They tell a story which is stated in Ms. Kelleher’s Director's Notes as “full of close calls where disaster is just a moment away.”

The story opens with Henry Saunders (Chris Erath), who is producing what he calls the biggest concert in the history of opera. He has planned for three tenors to perform – Tito (Robert Grady), Carlo (Anthony Rinaldi), and Saunders’ son-in-law, Max (Ben Gold). The laughs really take off with the variety of obstacles that present themselves to each of the singers to prevent them from performing. Difficulties arise, retract, and arise again, in comedic waves that keep coming.

Tito believes his wife, Maria (Barbara Schapiro), is having an affair, while he remains in the dark about his daughter Mimi’s (Elise Blanchard) relationship with his rival, Carlo. Tito’s mistress, Racon (Stephanie Mann) is also in town, complicating the relationships.

Photo by Dan Busler Photography. Maria (Barbara Schapiro) mistakes the bellhop Bepo for her husband, Tito (both played by Robert Grady)..

Ms. Kelleher has achieved what she describes in her Director’s Note, “The audience doesn’t have time to think. They simply watch and listen. The sense of urgency and imminent danger of the deceit unravelling should be totally absorbing, allowing the outside world and all of the troubles of the times to disappear, at least for the few hours they are in the theatre.”

But not everything is fast paced. As the tenors undertake a first practice together, Ms. Kelleher takes some time to showcase the surprising vocalist talents of Mr. Grady, Mr. Rinaldi, and Mr. Gold.  Separately and together, they sing remarkably, cementing the audience's belief in their characters as true, operatic tenors.

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Other entertaining and interesting choices include a recurring gag with a large tongue, creative word play, and few moments of breaking the fourth wall. Beppo the bellhop is a dead ringer for Tito (thereby introducing farce related to mistaken identity) and he directly explains to the audience how he became a bellhop instead of following his heart to become a singer.

Under Ms. Kelleher’s direction, Mr. Grady does an admirable job of switching his roles between the tenor Tito and the bellhop Beppo. It’s never confusing which character he is playing, and he successfully moves forward the storyline of both Tito and Beppo with hilarity as well as clarity. There’s also clever staging that allows both Tito and Beppo to appear onstage at the same time.

Photo by Dan Busler Photography. Elise Blanchard of Westwood plays Mimi, standing here between Robert Grady as Tito (left) and Anthony Rinaldi as Carlo (right).

The last few minutes of the play are a recap of the memorable moments of laughter leading to its conclusion, and a welcome reminder of the preceding couple of hours of enjoyment. Those in the community who seek opportunities for laughter and delight should be sure not to miss this Walpole Footlighters production.

Upcoming performances of Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors can be seen at the Walpole Footlighters theater on February 11 & 18 at 8:00 p.m. and February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

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