Hey, buddy. Could ya spare a...

Tenor?

Last night I saw one of the best stage shows I've ever seen: Stanley Tucci's "Lend Me A Tenor."

Most of the principal players I was familiar with: Brooke Adams (the gal who played opposite Donald Sutherland in the remake of "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers"), Justin Bartha (the guy who, for most of the movie, was passed out and sunburned on the roof of the hotel in "The Hangover"), Tony Shahloub (Monk, the seemingly stoned one in "Galaxy Quest"), Anthony LaPaglia (kooky Scottish dude in "Frasier," tough detective in "Cold Case").

Those whom I didn't know were well matched with those mentioned above. The dialogue and physical comedy were both rigorous and well-timed. It was almost like a Mamet play, in terms of language tempo. One false beat and the lines would've fallen flat as a pancake.

The play, set in the early 1930s, had a Mussolini joke and "whatsamattayou" type language which only added to the fun, really. The theater goers, save maybe those members just out of college, rippled with laughter throughout the show.

-a farce, a romp, a damn fine good time.