Originally scheduled to make its Broadway return March 11, the production has delayed previews by one day so that director Stanley Tucci can attend the Academy Awards. Tucci has been nominated for his performance in "The Lovely Bones." Opening night for Lend Me a Tenor remains April 4.
As previously reported, Bartha ("The Hangover," "National Treasure") will make his Broadway debut as Max, with Tony winner LaPaglia (A View from the Bridge, The Rose Tattoo) as opera singer Tito Merelli and Golden Globe winner Shalhoub ("Monk," Conversations With My Father) as producer Sanders.
The cast also features two-time Tony nominee Jan Maxwell (The Royal Family, Coram Boy) as Maria, Mary Catherine Garrison (Assassins, Rabbit Hole) as Maggie, Tony nominee Jennifer Laura Thompson (Urinetown, Wicked) as Diana, Jay Klaitz (High Fidelity) as the Bellhop and Brooke Adams (The Heidi Chronicles, "Monk") as Julia.
The 1930s-set play "is a madcap screwball comedy that takes place when Tito Merelli, the fiery-tempered and world-famous Italian superstar, arrives in Cleveland, Ohio to make his debut with the local opera and promptly goes missing. As Saunders, the show's presenter, conspires to cover for Tito's absence, placate his hot-blooded wife, and distract his most passionate fans, chaos on a truly operatic level ensues," press notes state.
The Broadway revival is produced by The Araca Group, Stuart Thompson, Carl Moellenberg, Rodney Rigby, Olympus Theatricals, Broadway Across America, The Shubert Organization, in Association with Wendy Federman/Jamie deRoy/Richard Winkler, Lisa Cartwright, and Scott and Brian Zeilinger. The revival's creative team includes John Lee Beatty (set designer), Martin Pakledinaz (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting design), Peter Hylenski (sound design) and Patrick Vaccariello (musical supervisor).
For tickets phone (212) 239-6200, or visit Telecharge. The Music Box Theatre is located at 239 West 45th Street.