AUBURN — There will be laughs aplenty at the L/A Community Little Theatre (CLT) when “Lend Me A Tenor” opens Friday, Jan. 11. Twenty-five years after it last produced this show, CLT is proud to bring back this Ken Ludwig tour de force under the direction of Mitchell Clyde Thomas.

“I chose ‘Lend Me a Tenor’ because CLT did it exactly 25 seasons ago and I was honored to be in that cast under the direction of Mary Glen Rosenberg,” said Mitch Thomas, who is directing the show. “Anyone who ever had the privilege of working with Mary Glen knows what a great director she was. I learned so much from her,” he added.

An accelerating screwball farce full of laughter, “Lend Me a Tenor” has the class and charm of a Kaufman and Hart comedy plus all the door-slamming hilarity of a Marx Brothers’ classic like Room Service. This high-energy comedy about love and mistaken identity keeps audiences laughing throughout.

The year is 1934, and world-famous tenor Tito Merelli has come to Cleveland to perform with the local opera company. In a fit of despair after a huge fight with his wife, Tito takes too many pills and then … confusion and mayhem ensue. With passionate characters, mistaken identities, and countless doors opening and closing, the situation finally resolves in a frenetic ending.

The cast includes CLT veterans Paul Menezes as the famous tenor Tito Merelli; Jason Pelletier as the annoying but hilarious bellhop; and Roger Philippon as Saunders, the overbearing opera company manager. The flirty head of the opera guild is played by Jane Mitchell; ambitious opera soprano by Diana by Shannon LoCascio; and Tito’s fiery wife by Rebecca Cole. Newcomers Benjamin Morang and Caroline Carreras play Saunders’ anxious assistant Max and his star-struck daughter Maggie, respectively.

Ludwig is a prolific American playwright and director whose work has been performed in more than 30 countries in over 20 languages. “Lend Me a Teno” was his first Broadway play and won three Tony Awards. Some of his other works include “Crazy for You,” “Moon Over Buffalo,” “Leading Ladies” and “Shakespeare in Hollywood.”

“Ludwig is one of my favorite playwrights,” added Thomas. “’Lend Me a Tenor’ is very well-written, and I knew we could cast it from a pool of very talented actors. The cast is a great mix of CLT veterans and newcomers. Nearly 30 good actors auditioned for the show; it was hard to choose the best but I couldn’t ask for a better cast. And we also have a terrific crew!”

Making up the crew for “Lend Me A Tenor” are Dan Kane, assistant director, co-producer and set director; Hayden Thomas, co-producer and assistant stage manager; Brandon Chaloux, stage manager; Sarah Wing, assistant stage manager and prompter; Matt Conklin, lighting operator; Bobby Kirkland, sound; Roger Philippon, publicity; Jane Mitchell, costumer; Becca Tinkham, set décor; Richard Martin, lighting designer; and Alec Latulippe and Danica Hemond, stage crew members.

The show will be performed Jan. 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 13 and 20, at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St.

Call 207-783-0958 or visit LACLT.com for tickets and information. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and $12 for students.

Community Little Theatre actors strike a pose while rehearsing a scene for their upcoming production of “Lend Me A Tenor.” From left to right are Shannon LoCascio as Diana, Jane Mitchell as Julia, Jason Pelletier as a bellhop, Roger Philippon as Saunders, Rebecca Cole as Maria, Benjamin Morang as Max, Paul Menezes as Tito Merelli and Caroline Carreras as Maggie. (SUN JOURNAL PHOTO BY RUSS DILLINGHAM)

Community Little Theatre actors are getting ready for opening night while rehearsing a scene for their upcoming production of “Lend Me A Tenor.” From left to right Jane Mitchell as Julia, Caroline Carreras as Maggie, Shannon LoCascio as Diana and Rebecca Cole as Maria. (SUN JOURNAL PHOTO BY RUSS DILLINGHAM)

Community Little Theatre actors while rehearsing a scene for their upcoming production of “Lend Me A Tenor.” From left to right are Roger Philippon as Saunders, Benjamin Morang as Max, Paul Menezes as Tito Merelli and Jason Pelletier as a bellhop. (SUN JOURNAL PHOTO BY RUSS DILLINGHAM)