For Megan McDermott and the entire cast of Bristol Riverside Theatre’s current production A Comedy of Tenors, it’s their first time on stage since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And they couldn’t be more excited.
“It’s amazing to be back after this two-year shutdown that we’ve all weathered. At first I thought I was going to be nervous, but at the first preview last night, I was like, ‘Yep, I’ve come home.’ It’s a beautiful homecoming feeling,” McDermott told The Times ahead of opening night last Thursday. “Especially to come back with a show like this. It’s a farce. It’s funny. We’ve laughed our heads off through the whole rehearsal process.”
A Comedy of Tenors, by Ken Ludwig, is set in 1930s Paris and chock-full of mistaken identities, romance and chaos as the trio prepares for the “Concert of the Century,” which is mere hours away. Though the stadium is filled with screaming fans, the three tenors are forced to deal with other concerns.
“Ken Ludwig, I actually think my first professional job at The Wilma Theater in Philly was with his play Shakespeare in Hollywood,” said McDermott. “This play is almost a sequel to Lend Me a Tenor, but you don’t have to know that play to enjoy this one. It’s about doors – this door opens, that door opens, this person’s kissing the wrong person, this one thinks the person’s having an affair, lots of physical hijinks. And it has opera in it, so there’s great music.”
Directed by BRT producing director Amy Kaissar, the show stars Jef Canter as Italian superstar Tito Merelli; Barbara McCulloh as his hot-blooded wife Maria; Jim Shankman as Saunders; Benjamin Robert Lurye as Maz; Oakley Boycott as Racon; Michael Padgett as Carlo; and McDermott as Mimi. Both McDermott and McCulloh are BRT alums, having appeared in Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Defiance, respectively.
Mimi is the young love interest of tenor Carlo, who desperately seeks the blessing of her overprotective father Tito.
“Her parents are from Italy, they’re very passionate. He doesn’t want her to get married or be involved with a man, thinks she’s too young, so she’s keeping this love affair secret,” said McDermott.
As Mimi attempts to hide her romance with Carlo from her strict father, she’s also pursuing a dream to become an actress and books a gig with MGM. According to McDermott, her character’s personality is threefold. Mimi is romantic and passionate when it comes to Carlo and her career, strong and ambitious, and also a bit ditzy.
“She gets lost in her imagination and has to ground back down to what’s happening. She’s funny. She’s mercurial,” said McDermott, adding that Mimi’s drastically changing mood swings are enjoyable to play. “A lot of it is about the comedic timing of it, living in the moment and then really quick in a different moment. It’s a physical journey, as well. I’ve had some fun stunt work.”
When asked if comedic timing is a difficult thing to master, McDermott proudly said, “Not for me. I’m good at comedy, I think that’s one of my talents. You have to find it, of course, especially with the ensemble because comedies like this are very ensemble-based. You have to play off each other. But it comes naturally to me, which is great.”
Kaissar praised McDermott and the cast for their talents.
“They are hilarious, of course. Then they also have to sing opera and three of them have to be tenors. It takes a lot of training to be a great comedic actor. As a great actor once said, ‘Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.’ And it takes a lot of training to really sing opera,” she said. “There aren’t that many people out there who can really do both, but we found them.”
Co-producing director Ken Kaissar is thrilled that BRT is able to offer A Comedy of Tenors, which boasts the largest cast of this mainstage season.
“This show is intense, it’s high stakes and it’s energetic,” he said. “It’s big and broad, but it can’t tip into buffoonery. These are real people fighting for their lives. Our mission hinges on three words – laugh, think, feel. This season was designed to ensure a well-rounded experience of some plays that send you home deep in thought, some plays that give you all the feels, and now it’s time for one that’ll make your cheeks hurt and sides ache with laughter.”
McDermott shared Ken’s sentiment and believes A Comedy of Tenors can put smiles on people’s faces during these trying times.
“I hope they laugh and they’re filled with joy and they have a fun night at the theater, which we haven’t been able to do in so long,” she said. “I would just encourage people to know that they’re welcomed. This is a safe space. They’ve done so much work to make it safe for audiences to come. I would say if you have any hesitation, everybody’s vaccinated, everybody’s masked. Come and laugh. Have some joy and levity after all of this heaviness in the world.”
A Comedy of Tenors runs through March 27. Tickets start at $43, with discounts available for students and military. A limited number of $10 tickets are available for Bristol Township residents courtesy of Flager & Associates, PC. Audience members must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Antigen) taken within 48 hours of the performance start time. Masks must be worn. For tickets and more information, visit brtstage.org or call 215-785-0100. Bristol Riverside Theatre is located at 120 Radcliffe St. in Bristol Borough.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
