Lyric Music Theater opened the season on Sept.19, 2008 with 'The Will Rogers Follies'. This Tony Award-winning musical chronicles the life of famed humorist and performer Will Rogers. The Ziegfeld Follies is the backdrop for the events in his life, while snippets of wisdom, humor and common sense in Rogers' homespun style bring him to life again on stage. His most famous quote, "I never met a man I didn't like" provides a glimpse into this beloved American icon.
You'll smile at the honest, down-home wisdom of an American humorist.

A very entertaining production with an amazingly talented cast, lead by Mark Dils as Will Rogers. Mark grabs the audience's attention and never lets go, by the end of the show people have accepted him as Will and feel honest sorrow at his loss. Jen Miller portrays Will's wife Betty Blake Rogers with wit and humor, her rendition of 'No Man Left for Me' perched atop a piano leaves the audience mesmerized and wanting more. Alex Pratt is very funny and engaging as Will's father, Clem Rogers. Caryn Blanchard lights up the stage every time she appears as 'Ziegfeld's Favorite' in eye popping costumes by Louise Keezer. Mark Barrasso, Mark Calkins, Kyle Dennis, Jamie Lupien, Kristi McHugh, Hayley Nickerson, Fran Page, Gigi Paquette, Logan Rausch, Zoey Rausch, Lindsay Roberge, Andrew Shepard, Hillary Simpson, Justin Stebbins, Lizzy Vafiades & Will Vafiades round out this fabulous cast. This is a show filled with humor, dancing, upbeat songs and touching moments. The relevance of statements made 70 to 80 years ago is truly eye opening.

If you haven't had a chance to catch this show, call the box office at 774-1421 and reserve seats now. It's running 2 more weekends. Oct. 3,4,5 & Oct. 10,11,12, 2008. Friday & Saturday show's are at 8pm, Sunday is a 2:30pm curtain.

--Posted by Betty Gravelle

Lyric has several announcents, the first of which everyone looks
forward to hearing, our season:
Announcing the 2008- 2009 Season*!
The Will Rogers Follies - directed by Michael Donovan
Annie Warbucks - directed by Stacey Koloski
City of Angles - directed by Mary Merserve
Cabaret - directed by Vince & Denise Knue
*Subject to change

The Will Rogers Follies is currently running and has 2 more weekends to go, Oct.3,4,5 and Oct 10,11,12, 2008. Show times are Friday & Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2:30pm

---Posted by Betty Gravelle

Last night was a dress rehearsal for Man of La Mancha. This show has lost more rehearsals than usual due to bad weather and power outages leaving less time to get ready for Friday’s opening night. Costume Designer Denise Knue’s house experienced flooding; damaging or ruining costumes with the added stress of loosing power for three days. The snowstorm the week before Easter cost the show two rehearsals, but the impact was nearly a week break, causing loss of continuity. Everyone has been working hard to make up for lost time. Between Sunday afternoon and Monday evening, so many finishing touches were added to the set and they had their first rehearsal with costumes and pit.
Last night, before the rehearsal began, Director Vince Knue, Stage Manager Wayne Russell and Technical Director Don Smith went over lights and set piece placement. Backstage the actors were all still getting used to the costumes, though it was the second dress. Costume designer Denise Knue described Aldonza/Dulcinea’s costume–but Ellen Emerson wasn’t wearing it last night, so these photos will not spoil the effect before the audience can appreciate it. Music Director Keith Witherall has the pit downstairs, and technical director Don Smith will be moving the light board upstairs (it's been in the auditorium this week to help with the light design and communication with the director).
It's an exciting time at the theater - the last week when it all comes together and then it's Opening Night!

--posted by Margaret Barrasso

Director Vince Knue Making sure the set piece gets placed in the light.

Stage Manager Wayne Russell works with Technical Director Don Smith to spike the set pieces

Costume Designer Denise Knue adjusts a costume before rehearsal starts

Music Director Keith Witherall

The opening scene

Cervantes wrestled to the floor
with Director Vince Knue and Producer Amy Deschaines in the front row

Backstage Lauri Haller and Abbie Martin assist the Horse into his costume

"Man of La Mancha"

Aldonza is played by Ellen Emerson

Kathy painting on the last work Sunday