Restoration of the interior of the historic Lyric Theatre in downtown Brownwood is expected to begin in the near future, with a target completion date by the summer of 2014.
A generous contribution to the Raise the Curtain Campaign has been added to previous gifts from supporters, according to board members, putting completion within reach. Work on the building’s exterior — including a sign and marquee — was previously finished.
“These are really exciting times for those of us involved with the restoration of the Lyric,” board Co-Chairs Dub and Deb Wilson said. “We were pleasantly surprised recently by a very generous contribution that finally puts us within reach of completing our fund-raising goal.”
“However, at the same time, we must take this opportunity to say thank you to the many citizens of Brownwood and the local community who have both donated funds and time to assist us in taking care of significant amounts of demolition, which will be of great benefit as we move forward with the restoration, and in carrying out the restoration of the exterior of the building to cover up the results of some of that demolition,” the co-chairs added.
The Wilsons also said other members of the community are welcome to join the effort that will result in the completion of the project.
“Our goal is to christen the new Lyric into operation with our summer production series in the summer of 2014, the 100th anniversary of the theatre,” the Wilsons said.
The contractor for the interior restoration phase is Waldrop Construction of Brownwood.
The Lyric will feature approximately 400 comfortable seats, new restrooms, a state-of-the-art sound system, restoration of the historic décor, a new stage and theatrical lighting, a film projection system and screen, and complete accessibility for audience members with disabilities. The theatre already has a raked floor, a proscenium stage and a complete fly loft — elements essential for use of the building as a multi-purpose complex.
In addition to shows produced by the Lyric, the theatre will be available for use by other community groups for programs.
“We are really blessed to have such generous people who care about our community and want to see this project completed,” Lyric board member Bill King said. “I am excited that we are now close enough to completion that people can see that it is going to happen and will want to help us get it done by the 100th anniversary next year.”
“We are so delighted by the generosity of this donor and know that it will take us a long way toward making the restoration a reality,” Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, the Lyric’s artistic director, said. “We are so grateful for this wonderful support of the Lyric project and look forward to performing on the Lyric stage in the not-too-distant future.”
Lyric Facilities Committee chairman Dale Wheelis could not immediately be reached for comment Saturday. However, committee member Hank Hunter said the committee is particularly excited about the start of interior restoration work. “On behalf of the Facilities Committee, I can say we are grateful for the supporters who are helping to make this project a reality, and we are looking ahead with anticipation for the Lyric to be open next year in celebration of the theatre’s centennial.”
Opened as a performing arts vaudeville complex in the 300 block of Center Avenue on Sept. 18, 1914, the Lyric was later used as a motion picture theater. For decades, the Lyric was a focal point for entertainment, hosting live appearances by national stars like Gene Autry with Champion, and Jackie Coogan. The theater closed in 1959, and from 1963 to 2003, the front portion of the theater was used for retail businesses.
For the past decade, the Lyric Performing Arts Company has produced annual musicals and dramatic plays with local talent on stages at Brownwood High School and Howard Payne University. The company also holds children’s workshops and plays, and since 2004 has produced community choir performances of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” Production funding assistance has come from the Brownwood Arts Council and community foundations.
After completion of the Lyric’s restoration, such programs can be staged downtown — making the theatre again an anchor for entertainment activity in the central business district, board members said.
More information about the theatre and the fund-raising campaign is available online at www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com.
Pictured from left to right are Dub and Deb Wilson, Lyric board co-chairs; Sam Waldrop, Waldrop Construction; Eric Evans, Lyric managing director; and Hank Hunter, Lyric board member representing the Facilities Committee.
