By Lisa Dicarlucci, Entertainment Editor

 If you’ve ever had the overwhelming desire to be spit on by Tony Shalhoub, hear Justin Bartha sing opera or see Anthony LaPaglia in black face, “Lend me a Tenor” at the Music Box Theater is just the show for you.

Ken Ludwig’s “Lend me a Tenor” is a cornball, slapstick comedy about a mishap with a famous opera singer in Cleveland, Ohio. When Tito “Il Stupendo” Merelli is set to perform but then becomes suddenly indisposed, hilarity and confusion ensues as Shalhoub, the harried producer, and Bartha, his assistant, scramble to come up with a solution. 

The play, directed by Stanley Tucci, is lacking not for talent, nor for laughs. It is a non-stop laugh riot, but that may just be its only flaw – it never stops. Every word, every sound is a joke. It’s an exhausting two-and-a-half hours that could easily lose twenty minutes. At times I found myself actually tired of laughing.

Shalhoub and Bartha’s talent is not the question; it just felt like everything was a bit too much. Their caricatures were purposefully exaggerated but too often repetitive. The phrase “it was funny the first time” comes to mind. Shaloub screaming “god dammit” only works so many times but it difficult to tell whether the script or the director is at fault. 

Minus the ridiculous panting and screaming, “Lend me a Tenor” really is a joy to go see. Jan Maxwell and Anthony LaPaglia are authentic and hysterical as an argumentative Italian couple. Maxwell as Mrs. Merelli executes her over-the-top character flawlessly as the audience laughs at her frustration, telling LaPaglia to “Shudduuupppp!” LaPaglia also plays the passionate Italian well, despite his character’s being asleep for the better part of the show. 

The plot will keep you on the edge of your seat as you never know who is coming and going out of the four doors on set. Its one of those shows where every one just keeps missing each other as they slip in and out. You know, the kind of stuff no one could ever get away with in real life.