ISU Theatre’s production of “Lend Me a Tenor” is a little confusing.

So are Max and Tito.

But who are they?

Max is Saunders’ assistant at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company in the 1930s, says Matt Kawa, senior in performing arts. He also plays Max in the upcoming “Lend Me a Tenor” production at Fisher Theater.

Tito is the opera star who passes out from relaxation pills in his wine and confuses everyone by making them think he is dead, thanks to a “Dear John” letter found from his wife mistaken as a suicide note.

Confused?

You’re not the only one.

The topsy-turvy identities of these characters create a wild farce, says Geoffroy Tangeman, director of the play and temporary assistant professor of music.

“It is a very fast-paced play including mistaken identities, witty writing as well as being stimulating to the intellect,” Tangeman says.

The story’s dilemma, which provokes the humor, begins with a fund-raiser starring Tito Merelli, an Italian opera star. Kawa’s character Max is looked upon to make sure that everything is handled and nothing goes wrong, Kawa says.

“Right off the bat, Tito doesn’t show up on the right train, and when he does show up, he is fighting with his wife,” Kawa says. “This creates a punch of energy immediately, and thus hilarity ensues.”

Everything begins to fall apart, and Max follows suit.

“Max is a pretty skittish guy who has to hold his whole world together, although very little of it is for himself,” Kawa says. “It builds up his confidence.”

Kawa added that since Max is put on stage to fool the audience as the “dead” Tito, Max begins to think that he has a future on the stage as well.

“Characters are added to the scenes, which involves more tension and freaking out,” Kawa says.

The eight cast members have had a lot of fun with this production, Tangeman says.

“It has been an intense rehearsal process, with only having four weeks to put together a show,” he says. “We have been successful, and the cast is dying for an audience.”

With a comedy such as this one, Tangeman adds, the audience is key for interaction and laughter.

Both Kawa and Tangeman have had a lot of experience with theater. This is about the 10th ISU production Kawa has participated, and although this is the first play directed by Tangeman at Iowa State, he has directed “Lend” twice before in New York.

“It is great being at Iowa State,” Tangeman says. “It has been very nice to see that kind of commitment of cast members jumping to the occasion to put something wonderful together.”

“It is a well-written comedy,” Kawa says. “It is a lot of work, but it pays off well, and the audience will definitely enjoy it.”