Lend Me a Tenor: Justin Bartha completes cast

Justin Bartha completes the cast for the Broadway revival of Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor, opening at the Music Box Theatre on 4 Apr 2010, following previews from 11 Mar.

Justin Bartha will make his Broadway debut in the role of 'Max.' Since attending theatre school at NYU, Bartha has become a rising movie star. He recently starred in last summer's comedy hit 'The Hangover.' His other movie credits include 'Failure to Launch' and the 'National Treasure' movies opposite Nicolas Cage, among others. He is soon to star opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones in the new Bart Freundlich film, 'The Rebound.'

Bartha will star alongside the previously announced Anthony LaPaglia (Tito Merelli), Tony Shalhoub (Saunders), Brooke Adams (Julia), Mary Catherine Garrison (Maggie), Jennifer Laura Thompson (Diana), Jay Klaitz (The Bellhop) and Jan Maxwel (Maria).

Set in the 1930s, Lend Me a Tenor 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.

Lend Me a Tenor's design and creative team is John Lee Beatty (set designer), Kenneth Posner (lighting design), Martin Pakledinaz, (costume design) and Peter Hylenski (sound design).

The comedy is being produced on Broadway by The Araca Group, Stuart Thompson, Carl Moellenberg, Rodney Rigby, Olympus Theatricals, Broadway Across America, in Association with Lisa Cartwright, Wendy Federman/Jamie deRoy.

Lend Me a Tenor premiered on Broadway in 1989 and received seven Tony Award nominations, winning two. It was also honored with four Drama Desk Awards. Prior to Broadway, Lend Me a Tenor played London's West End where it received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Comedy. The play has been translated into sixteen languages and produced in more than twenty-five countries.