Written by Ben Cox – The Brownwood Lyric Theatre has announced it’s 2019 schedule of shows, that are sure to entertain.
Managing Director of the Lyric Theatre, Eric Evans, says “I’m excited about next year. I think we are being very aggressive, we have an original piece this coming year and we hope that the community and surrounding area will support opportunities like that. I also love the fact that we are doing shows with connection with Brownwood like Gilligans Island, and the rest of the shows are amazing iconic pieces that people will thoroughly enjoy.”
Starting off the season in early February is Gilligan’s Island, the Musical. Running three seasons from September of 1964 to April of 1967, the TV Show the play is based on starred Bob Denver, who was raised in Brownwood and graduated from Brownwood High School before moving to L.A. to begin his television and film career. The musical was first produced in the early ’90’s and was written by Lloyd Schwartz, the son of show creator Sherwood Schwartz.
Following that will be a production of The Odd Couple, in early April. The Broadway hit play was written by Neil Simon and has been made into a feature film, starring Jack Lemmon and Walther Matthau.
Directed by Larry Mathis, these two shows are sure to start the year off with a bang for the Lyric. Mathis says “Gilligan’s Island, much like Beverly Hillbillies, is going to be great fun for the actors and the audience. The stage will come to life with all sorts of surprises and hilarity, the whole family will love this classic. The Odd Couple is one of the great comedy scripts of all time. We are thrilled to offer this award winning script at the Lyric and will want to encourage you to buy tickets early as it will be a crowd favorite.”
Third on the list is a unique show for the Lyric, a brand new production that has never been seen on another stage, anywhere. “Windows Home” was written by Brown County’s own Bill Foster, the one time superintendent of Bangs ISD. Now actor and playwright, Fosters show about the Vietnam War and its impact on a small midwestern family is powerful, funny, and often times very poignant. Directed by Caityln Tidwell, who has directed countless shows for Victory Life Academy, this will be a special run that theatre goers won’t want to miss.
Tidwell says “It’s a beautiful, poignant, and at times funny story that gives us insight into the trials service members faced at a really difficult time in history, as well as giving us a glimpse into the hardships faved by their loved ones on the home front.”
The ever popular Summer Musical will be a stage version of the Dolly Parton hit movie “9 to 5”, directed by Dr Nancy Jo Humfeld. Originally opening in 2008 in Los Angeles, it has been seen on stages across the country as well as in the UK. Depicting the day to day struggles of office workers, the show is full of familiar music and lots of comedy.
Dr Humfeld, who is also the Lyric’s Artistic Director, says “We had talked about doing it a couple years ago. It’s a good show that is a bit more of a current show and we think it’ll be fun and a little bit different than what we have done in the past. It’s also a good opportunity for a lot of our female actors to get a good role, because we have done some real guy heavy shows recently.”
Hot off the success of “Always, Patsy Cline” The Lyric will take another musical trip down memory lane with the jukebox musical “Ring of Fire”, which showcases the lives of three couples who go through life set to the musical backdrop of 38 songs sung by Johnny Cash. Dr Nicholas Ewen is set to direct. He most recently directed the Big Kala and Little Toomia for the Lyric’s children show this fall.
Ewen says “I am so excited to get started on this musical tribute to Johnny Cash! The music is incredible and I know that our Lyric theatre fans will be thrilled to see it come to life.”
Rounding out the year in Christmas style is the holiday staple “It’s A Wonderful Life”, presented with a twist. The show will be presented as a radio play, with live foley sound effects and set in an 30’s-era radio studio. Theatre director for Bangs ISD, Billie Harvey will be at the helm of this production, saying she is “excited about bringing what is an institution at Christmas to life on stage in such a creative and unique way.”
Eric Evans adds that while the Lyric is moving forward with bold steps, it is important to realize it is still a fledgling organization that thrives on community support. “It’s important for the community to do what they can to help support the Lyric. We have our Patron Tickets available, with multiple levels starting at $125. We are becoming more firmly set, but we do still need the support of our community to help make us the best theatre company that we can be, and hopefully this season will be a great opportunity for people to do that while being entertained at the same time!”
Patron Tickets, as well as seats to the remaining 2018 shows, are available on the theatre’s website, and the staff can be reached through the site as well as Facebook.
