The Lyric Theatre is a special part of Brownwood’s history which was enjoyed by many past generations. Over 50 years ago, people were enjoying the thriving theaters in downtown Brownwood as the town boomed during the days of Camp Bowie. Today, a new generation is looking forward to growing up seeing productions that will be held at the Lyric.
$500,000 is still needed to finalize the renovation of the Lyric. Generous donations were announced Thursday night at the “Light the Lyric” event which included gifts of $30,000 given by Margaret & Stuart Coleman for carpeting; $25,000 contributed by the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce; and $25,000 gifted from the Hoblitzelle Foundation of Dallas (which was founded by the Hoblitzelle family that had owned and operated the Lyric Theatre in the past).
There were t-shirts and food available for donations and a raffle of a beautiful quilt to help raise additional funds that to go toward the restoration project during the event.
Celebrating the lighting, the Lyric Performing Arts Company Board chose 4 lucky fourth grade students from Brownwood to help “flip the switch” to light the sign and marquee on the Lyric for the first time in 50 years. The students were chosen through an essay contest where they wrote about how important the Lyric Theatre is to Brownwood.
The four winning essays are featured as follows:
Restoring the Lyric Theatre by Brooke Allen (daughter of Mrs. Sophie Thomason)
Just think…Why is restoring the Lyric Theatre a project that is good for Brownwood and the surrounding area? I think it is great that it is being restored because people will be able to watch movies and plays once again. The Lyric has a great history. Many years ago, silent movies such as The Air Mail, and By the Sea were shown at the Lyric featuring stars like Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Koris Michell, and Charlie Chaplin.
Restoring the Lyric will help bring the performing arts back to Brownwood. The arts are a very important part of life and learning. Many people who have never had the opportunity to participate in performing arts will have that opportunity with the Lyric. The performing arts include acting, dancing, music, and many other types of stage performances.
The Lyric was once one of the largest theatres in Texas, seating more than 600 people. Many families gathered there for fun times and made many memories. It is important for families to spend time together, and by restoring the Lyric, families all across our area will have a place to do that.
Restoring the Lyric Theatre would be a great benefit to Brownwood and the surrounding communities. Not only would it boost the economy, it would spread performing arts to all. The Lyric would bring back a great part of our history and bring artists to town. It would teach all of us about the arts. I think it is a wonderful idea. 
Restoring the Lyric Theatre by Clay Townsend (son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Townsend)
We should restore the Lyric for adults, children, money, and memories.
Adults: If you have nowhere to go or nothing to do, you could go to the Lyric. It would be a great experience. And why not take the family for a fun time? If you are stressed, why not go see a movie or a play to relax? It’s all up to you!
Children: Hey, kids, you can go to the Lyric too! You can have a great time watching movies or plays with your family or friends. You can learn more about Brownwood’s history and have a fun time. Howard Payne University is signing up kids who want to be in plays this summer. There are lots of things to do this summer, and this is one of them.
Money: The more people who come to the Lyric, the more money for the city. Tickets will not be very expensive, so many people will be able to come and enjoy the theatre. With the money the Lyric makes, it can add more equipment. Maybe others will want to improve other buildings or monuments in town.
Memories: When you bring your children to the restored Lyric, at one time the biggest theatre in this part of Texas, they are going to remember that forever. And if you bring your parents or grandparents to the Lyric, they might have childhood memories to share.
I really want to go to the Lyric theatre this summer. I think it would be fun and an honor to just even walk in the door. I can’t wait till it opens!
Restoring the Lyric Theatre by Delainy Garza (daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Garza)
50 Years Ago
Oh, how I had the best time of my life at the Lyric! When I performed there, I had the best performance ever. I had a great audience who loved my show; they didn’t even have to tell me because of the way the reacted when it was finished. A couple of days later, everyone was still talking about it; it was even in the newspaper! It said, “A couple of days ago, we had a hit performance. People all over town are talking about it, and if you didn’t see it, you are in luck because they are performing the play again. So make sure your drop by the Lyric Theatre.”
So you see I’ve never in all my years of performing had that happen to me. Since the theatre has been locked up and forgotten, I have not had a place to perform, and that has made my career go down. Hopefully, they will open it back up again.
2010 – Fifty Years Later
It’s reopening! It’s reopening! I am so glad the Lyric Theatre is going to open back up because I think will be very important to our community to have the theatre up and running again – even if I don’t have my career anymore. Opening the Lyric is important because it will bring joy to others, and, of course, to me. And I know when they fix it up, it will be beautiful, amazing, great, marvelous, and I can’t wait to see it!
The Lyric will also help the economy with money coming in – even though the prices will be higher than the past. I wish it was still like back then because all you would have to carry was a quarter. These days, it may cost more, but we know our community will be improved.
I just know it will also bring a lot of enjoyment to everyone including the actors, actresses, and others who want to participate. It will also be a wonderful thing to do when you want to get out of the house for some fun times.
There is one more reason I want to Lyric to open again. It will remind some people about the past and how they had such a great time enjoying the shows. For others, it will create new memories, and I know it will be just as good as it was in the old days.
Hopefully, everyone who went to the Lyric back then will get to go again, and those who have never had the experience of the stage will get to experience it for the first time. And who knows, maybe I’ll get to set foot on the stage of the Lyric Theatre again.
Restoring the Lyric Theatre by Jenna Lyons (daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lyons)
Why do we want to restore the Lyric Theatre in Brownwood, Texas? It would represent Brownwood and a ton of other things! Do you think it is worth all of the time, effort, and money being put into this project to give Brownwood a nice, clean community theatre? I do.
Hopefully, many people will come to Brownwood and spend money to eat in our restaurants, stay in a hotel, and buy tickets to the theatre. They will also buy snacks, drinks, and other things at the theatre. People may come to love it so much that they even move to our town and increase our population. In our economy, it is not easy for people to find a job. The theatre would be a good place to get a job.
A restored Lyric Theatre would also add a touch of brightness or joy to the streets! The plays that are going to be play there sound like so much fun. I am already looking forward to the play Annie this summer! Because Brownwood is a small town, we need nicer things to make people want to come live here or, at least, visit.
Sometimes I wish I could have lived in the olden day to see what the Lyric looked like then. The new sign looks so pretty up, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like with lights on!
Since it is a community theatre, anyone will be able to go there; it is not just for certain people. Some in our community have known the theatre since they were children. And kids like us will get to experience it for the first time. I hope that many people get to see a play in our brand new theatre, and I hope they are as excited as I am.
Everyone should have a theatre in their community. They shouldn’t have to drive a long way to see a play with friends and family and have a good time. I know the play Annie is coming soon – I can’t wait!
