Brian P. Allen, Co-Founder with Stephen Underwood and Artistic Director of the Good Theater, Located at 631 Stevens Avenue, Portland.
GOOD THEATER presents the Maine premiere of “Lend Me A Soprano,” Ken Ludwig’s reworking of his Tony Award-winning comedy “Lend Me A Tenor.” This production runs from Thursday, February 19, 2026 through March 8, 2026 at Stevens Square, 631 Stevens Avenue, Portland.
Set in 1934 Cleveland, Lend Me A Soprano, takes place over the course of a single chaotic evening at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company. When renowned soprano Elena Firenzi arrives late for her one-night only performance of Carmen, the company’s leadership scrambles to keep the production afloat as egos flare, desires collide and the situation spins wildly out of control.
True to Ludwig’s signature style, the comedy moves at breakneck spread through rapid-fire dialogue, escalating misunderstandings and classic bedroom farce, as flirtation, ambition, jealousy and desire steadily unravel a hotel suite. While preserving the momentum and mechanics of the original, Lend Me a Soprano places women at the center of the chaois, letting relationships, alliances and power dynamics drive the comedy in new ways.
“I first directed the Maine premiere of Lend Me a Tenor more than three decades ago. So, coming back to the world of this play has been especially rewarding,” said Brian P. Allen, Good Theater’s Artistic Director and Director of the production. “What’s been exciting is discovering how familiar farce elements play differentlly when you shift the perspecstive. The structure is pure Ludwig, but the updates make the comedy feel newly alive. It’s fast, elegant and full of surprises.”
Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at Good Theater. Ticketks are $45. for adults and $10. for students and patrons age 30 and under. All seating is general admission. Tickeets are available at goodtheater.com or by calling 207 – 835-0895.
About Good Theater: Good Theater is a professional nonprofit theater and the largest employer of Maine-based theater artists. Founded in 2001 by Brian P. Allen and Stephen Underwood and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2003, the company is dedicated to producing high-quality theatrical productions that are entertaining, uplifting and inspiring, using the best artists available.
After 21 seasons as the theater-in-residence at The Hill Arts, Good Theater established a new home at Stevens Square Theater in Portland, following a major renovation undertaken in partnership with Developers Collaborative. Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brian P. Allen and Executive Director Gusta Johnson, Good Theater serves as both the rresident company and managing organiztion for the venue, building Stevens Square Theater into a vibrant cltural hub and expanding access to diverse, eceptionl performances for audiences across Maine. Gusta Johnson also plays Elena Firenzi in this production.
“We still miss you up here on the Hill, Brian and Stephen. You left a big void here when you left the Hill,” said this blogger. “But we are happy you landed in such a great space! Kevin is okay too!”