You probably don’t expect opera to be funny, but the Newnan Theatre Company’s (NTC) production of “Lend Me a Tenor” will convince you otherwise. NTC presents the comedy by Ken Ludwig starting Friday, Feb. 24 and running through Sunday, March 12.

In September 1934, the world-famous tenor Tito Morelli is scheduled to perform Otello, his greatest role, at the gala season-opener of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Saunders, the General Manager, hopes this will put Cleveland on the operatic map, but Morelli shows up late, too late to rehearse with the company.

Through a hilarious series of mishaps, Il Stupendo is given a double dose of tranquilizers which mix with the alcohol he’s already consumed. He passes out with a pulse so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he’s dead. What can they do?

Max is an aspiring singer, so Saunders persuades him to get into Morelli’s Otello costume and try to fool the audience into thinking he’s Il Stupendo. Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other costume. Now two Otellos are running around in costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she’s with Il Stupendo.

“Lend Me a Tenor” is directed by Lamar Payne and features some of NTC’s premier talents, including: Mark Smith as Max, Angie Lovell as Maggie, Mark Morrison as Saunders, Jamie French as Tito, Caren Comeans as Maria, Mac Clark as the Bellhop, Susan Patterson as Diana and Terri Morrison as Julia.

Tickets will likely go quickly for this Newnan Theatre Company production, and audiences are encouraged to pick up tickets ahead of time. NTC stages “Lend Me a Tenor” Feb. 24, 25, 26 and March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens; group discounts and season tickets are available. Newnan Theatre Company is located at 24 First Avenue in Newnan. For reservations, season tickets and more info, call 770-683-6282, email nctc@numail.org or visit www.newnantheatre.com.

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