Mistaken Identities, Slamming Doors, and One Big Laugh—Simi’s Funniest Show This Summer
Sylvie Belmond 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — A world-famous tenor, a nervous assistant and one wild night at the opera collide in Lend Me a Tenor, opening Saturday, July 5 at the ARTSpace Black Box Theater in Simi Valley. Presented by the Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi, the production brings big laughs to a small stage, with performances running weekends through July 20.
Set in a Cleveland hotel suite in the 1930s, the play follows the mayhem that unfolds when Italian opera star Tito Mirelli is set to headline Pagliacci—only to be accidentally knocked out cold before the curtain rises. With a sold-out crowd waiting and the opera company’s reputation on the line, assistant Max steps in to save the night, launching a series of frantic costume changes, mistaken identities and slamming doors. Add in a jealous wife, ambitious actresses and a meddling bellhop, and you’ve got a recipe for a fast-paced farce that doesn’t let up.
Director Beth Stockton leads a cast that includes Tim Realbuto as Max, Grace Ortiz as Maggie, Harry Isaac’s as Saunders, Ryan Engstrom as Tito, Brittani McNeal as Maria, Noah Canada as the bellhop, Anna Lund as Diana and Alexandria Sanders as Julie. The show runs approximately 105 minutes with a 15-minute intermission and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through July 20. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (62+), students and children 12 and under. Payment is accepted at the door by cash or Venmo (@Jan-Glasband). Seating is first come, first served, and arriving 30 minutes before showtime is advised.
Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or RSVPing at https://partiful.com/e/qLEiPq9JOEbovUvVBspc. The ARTSpace Black Box Theater is located inside the ARTS Cultural Enrichment Center at 2956 School St. in Simi Valley, just south of Deodora Avenue. There’s no parking lot, but plenty of street parking nearby. Tickets for ARTSpace shows are not sold through the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.
ARTSpace is more than just a venue — it’s a vital part of the community’s cultural life. “ARTSpace is Simi’s hidden ‘gem’ of a 75-100 seat black box theater that offers a variety of non-musical (book) plays for those who wish to have the experience of great theatre at an affordable price, without having to leave town,” said Jan Glasband, Artistic Director of the Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi. “Dinner and the theatre is now a wonderful entertainment option, accessible to local theater fans right here in town.”
Upcoming ARTSpace productions include The Diary of Anne Frank in November, American Son in March 2026, Clue, and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Musical theater fans can also look forward to Shrek the Musical in October at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.
To stay updated on the full season, visit www.actorsrepofsimi.org.
