The Hewlett Theater Company Strikes Again

From Feb. 5 to 8, the Hewlett Theater Company presented the Hewlett-Woodmere community with a fantastic performance of “Lend Me a Tenor.” After weeks of relentless rehearsing both inside and outside of school, the hard work paid off as audience members could not stop laughing and applauding the brilliant performance put on by the students.

Set in the height of the 1930s, “Lend Me a Tenor” tells the story of a world-renowned tenor, Tito Merelli, played by Nate Vanegas ’20, who is scheduled to perform as Otello for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. Henry Saunders, played by Tyler Walter ’20, the executive director of the opera, is counting on this performance to bring mass attention for his opera company. Saunders relies on his personal assistant, Max Garber, played by Adam Tzach ’20, to make sure nothing goes wrong in the time leading up to the performance. However, plans take a turn when Merelli’s wife, Maria Merelli, played by Lili Ospina ’20, suddenly leaves him on the night before the big show. Tito Merelli threatens to kill himself upon discovery of his wife’s absence. However, Garber manages to calm Tito Merelli down with the help of his singing, as well as a few drinks and pills he took earlier that day. The next morning, Garber finds Tito Merelli appearing lifeless and mistakes Maria Merelli’s letter for a suicide note. Saunders finds out about Tito Merelli and at the risk of losing $50,000, he plans to have Garber go on the stage for Tito Merelli by claiming no one will notice the difference between the two as Garber will have makeup and a costume on. After successfully performing for Tito Merelli, Garber, along with Saunders, thinks that everything is going seamlessly, that is until Tito Merelli wakes up. While trying to keep Garber’s performance a secret, Diana, Tito Merelli’s female co-star, played by Amanda Aulet ’20, Maggie, who is Garber’s daughter, played by Mackenzie Smith ’21, Julia, head of the opera guild, played by Belle Nahoom ’21 and a meddling bellhop, played by Stephen Graziose ’21, are all fighting for Tito Merelli’s attention. With this story, you have a recipe for comedic disaster. The play takes the audience on an adventure of mistaken identities and renewed love. It was truly a great performance that everyone enjoyed.

There were a number of interesting elements of this production that made this performance extremely unique and unlike any other show produced by the Hewlett Theater Company. This includes a creative and well-designed set with several doors that actors were appearing behind and a split stage that allowed the audience to experience two different scenes at once. These features truly added to the comical tone of the play as actors playfully competed to make the loudest door slams. Credit for the amazing stage design goes to Jennifer Csorba and the stage crew who took their own time and efforts to build, paint and design the beautiful set.

In addition, while this particular production was not a musical, there was definitely a major musical element to it as it is the story of a musical star. Actors were required to lip-sync to opera music as if they were performing in real life. Using raw emotions and realistic facial expressions, actors were able to successfully “sing.” The realistic components of the play were largely accomplished with the role of the technical crew of the Hewlett Theater Company, which included both the sound and lighting crew who all worked collaboratively to help produce an incredible production.

Several cast members attribute the success of this year’s musical to the exemplary casting of the show. In any play or musical, the right casting has the potential to bring a performance to life - this was no different for “Lend Me a Tenor.” With only eight cast members, the auditioning committee had a tough time deciding among all the wonderful and talented students who auditioned. In the end, the committee only chose actors who they believed could effectively represent the characters and have a great dynamic with the rest of the cast.

“The production of 'Lend Me a Tenor' was such an amazing experience,” said Stephanie Billharz ’20. “The idea of such a small cast allowed us to produce such an amazing show that a larger cast would not be able to produce with this play.”

With all of the excitement on stage, it can be easy to forget about the members of production staff, which include student directors, stage managers, prop managers, understudies, student production interns and the costume and makeup crew, who all helped add a unique dimension to the show. Each person involved in the play enjoyed seeing their hard work contribute to the creation of such a successful show. Moreover, the show could not have happened without the wonderful direction from theater director Dawn DeMaio. Producers Maria Duffy and Ilene Gabel also played a tremendous role in shaping the amazing show.

Being a part of “Lend Me a Tenor” was a very memorable experience for several students. Because it was a small cast, everyone thought of each other as a big family. Students were able to develop strong bonds with their peers as they spent long nights together and shared the same passion for theater.

“I was so happy to be a part of this production, it was such a special experience,” said Aulet. “The small cast allowed me to get close to my castmates and form even stronger friendships. I think I will walk away from the Hewlett Theater Company saying this was my favorite show I have done.”

The production of this play is just one of many amazing performances that students of George W. Hewlett High School worked hard to create; the members of our community are highly pleased and mesmerized by the talents of our students.

“'Lend Me a Tenor' was something I continued to look forward to every day, regardless of how I felt physically or emotionally,” said Graziose. “It was bombastic, energetic and a wholesome experience that I do not think I, nor any other member of the fantastic cast and crew, could possibly forget.”

The loud laughs, roaring applause and positive reactions are just a few pieces of evidence that prove the strong impression left by “Lend Me a Tenor.” The Hewlett Theater Company truly outdid themselves with this thriving production.