The summer season of theater in York County is now in full bloom. Now playing at the Hackmatack (Barn) Theater in Berwick is Ken Ludwig’s comedy “Lend Me a Tenor.” The show premiered in March of ’86 at the Music Box Theater in London’s West End.

It first opened in the U.S. at the Royale Theater on Broadway in March of ’89, and was revived on Broadway in April of 2010. The show has been translated into 16 languages and has been produced in 25 countries. The reason for this long-lived show is simple: it is an enjoyable comedy. As the show progresses the laughs keep coming and coming. (A musical version of the show was presented at the Plymouth Theater in the United Kingdom, but despite good reviews closed within a few months because of poor ticket sales.)

There are shows that call for a large stage, varied sets, costumes, etc. etc. This one does not. While a cast of professional actors may give a more polished performance, a cast of talented amateurs or really good student actors can give a really satisfying performance. The latter is what one finds at the performance in Hackmatack.

The script is so funny with mistaken identities galore that this reviewer forgot that he was seeing a show at a barn theater in Berwick.

The plot revolves around a famous tenor, Tito Morelli (Seth Walters). He is the featured performer at a gala opera performance of Verdi’s “Othello,”in Cleveland, in 1934. He arrives late, tired and having overeaten on the train. Saunders, the operas’ manager (Todd Fernald) is an excitable fellow and takes it out on his hapless assistant Max (Bretton Reis). The plot begins to thicken when Morelli’s wife leaves him, he takes too many pills and Max and Saunders think that Morelli is dead. Max knows the part but suffers from insecurity and Saunders convinces him that he must take Morelli’s place. Meanwhile we are introduced to other characters: Maggie, Saunders’ daughter (Shaghnessey Gower) and Julia, Saunders wife (Kelli Leigh-Ann Connors), both of whom have a crush on Morelli; Maria, Morelli’s volatile wife (Rebecca Boudreau); Diana (Meghan D. Morash), the lead soprano in the opera who wants Morelli to advance her career; and lastly a bellhop (Joshua Bernard-Kriegl).

It is in the second act that all the loose ends from the first act are hilariously tied together. Max (impersonating Morelli) has triumphed in the opera and Maggie (whom Max loves) seduces him. The real Morelli has revived and also in costume is pursued and yields to the charms of Diana. Julia also has a crush on Morelli and Ms. Morash gives a performance reminiscent of silent film star Gloria Swanson.

In the end things get sorted out. Maria returns and dispatches Julia, Max reveals his real identity and unites with Maggie. Happy Ending.

Fernald gives an excellent account of the harried manager. Walters’ Italian accent and bearing make the conceited romantic tenor he portrays believable. Ms. Boudreau impresses as the hot-tempered and jealous wife. Morash comes across as the lady who wants to get ahead and is willing to go the extra mile (or two). Kriegel doesn’t have that much to do in the show but does it well. It is Reis as the hapless Max, modest and almost the quintessential nebbesh that steals the show. The characters’ comings and goings, along with mistaken identities, make for a hilarious time at the theater.

One should not compare apples and oranges. While not using professional talent, Hackmatack does what it does very well with the converted barn now in its 47^th year. Along with the nearby buffalo and homemade pies at the concession stand, rocking chairs on the porch, it has ever so much to recommend it.

The show continues through June 30 with matinees on the 21^st and 28^th. Other shows slated for this season include: “All Shook Up,” July 4-21; “The Bridges of Madison County,”(July 25-Aug. 11; and “Dial M for Murder” (Aug. 15-Sept. 1.) Tickets range from $30 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for students (high School and below.) Show time for Friday and Saturday evenings is 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. for Wednesday and Thursday Matinee performances. Tickets may be had by calling 698-1807 or on the web by www.hackmatck.org.

— Dr. Morton Gold is a composer/conductor, retired educator and an arts reviewer for the Journal Tribune.