Good Theater's 'Lend Me a Soprano' Brings Screwball Comedy to Portland

Director says slamming doors and high-energy performances make the show a blast for cast and audience

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Good Theater in Portland, Maine is currently staging the screwball comedy 'Lend Me a Soprano', which features a cast that is having a great time with the physical comedy and energetic performances required by the play. Director Brian P. Allen says the show is full of door-slamming moments that add to the humor, while the theater's executive director Gusta Johnson, who is also part of the cast, says she gets to balance her behind-the-scenes duties with the joy of singing, acting 'insane', and having fun on stage.

Why it matters

Screwball comedies with physical humor and fast-paced action have long been a beloved genre in theater, film, and television. Good Theater's production of 'Lend Me a Soprano' demonstrates how this classic style of comedy can still resonate with modern audiences and provide an entertaining escape for theatergoers.

The details

The play 'Lend Me a Soprano' is described as a screwball comedy that relies heavily on physical comedy, including numerous door-slamming moments that director Brian P. Allen says make the show very funny. Gusta Johnson, who is the executive director of Good Theater, is also part of the cast and says she enjoys the contrast between her behind-the-scenes duties and the chance to 'run onstage and sing and act insane' as part of the high-energy performances.

  • The play 'Lend Me a Soprano' is currently being staged by Good Theater in Portland, Maine.

The players

Brian P. Allen

The director of Good Theater's production of 'Lend Me a Soprano'.

Gusta Johnson

The executive director of Good Theater who is also a member of the cast of 'Lend Me a Soprano'.

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What they’re saying

“There are a lot of doors to slam and that makes things funny. We've had a blast.”

— Brian P. Allen, Director (newscentermaine.com)

“I get to run backstage and do budgets. Then I run onstage and I sing and I act insane and I have so much fun.”

— Gusta Johnson, Executive Director and Cast Member (newscentermaine.com)

What’s next

Good Theater plans to continue its run of 'Lend Me a Soprano' through the end of March 2026.

The takeaway

Good Theater's production of the screwball comedy 'Lend Me a Soprano' demonstrates how classic physical comedy and high-energy performances can still captivate modern audiences and provide an entertaining theatrical experience.