After advancing through Zone and District, Theater’s next test would be Area. The group’s been working hard for two months to memorize their lines, arrange their set, pick their wardrobe, and perfect the play; “Lend Me a Tenor,” a comedy about an opera meant to bring in money for the Cleveland Opera Company. Unfortunately, the Lead Tenor Tito Merelli, played by Jacob Mirelis, passes out from marital stress and sedatives. So the manager of the Opera house, Henry Saunders, played by Dallas Reid, asks his assistant Max, played by Dillon Ford to pretend to be Tito for a night to save his career. Afterward, chaos and mixed identity ensues, with the eventual resolve of Tito’s marriage and Max strengthens his relationship with his lover Maggie played by Olivia Hebert.

UIL Regulations place several restrictions on plays. For one, the set must be put together in a brief 7 minutes, the play must not exceed 40 minutes, and the cast are only permitted 8 hours a week for rehearsal. Directors Melanie McIntyre and Jeremy Ferman worked with their teams in perfecting the play and to stay within regulations.

Four Schools competed at Area, only two would advance to Region. Rehearsals became better and better as preparation week ensued. Ferman was both proud and excited about his cast’s upcoming competition.

Unfortunately in their Area performance on Saturday, the cast didn’t seem to perform up to expectations and Legacy didn’t advance. Although the team was disappointed at not advancing, they were proud for making it this far.