The Lyric Stage Company of Boston
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is the oldest professional theatre company in Boston.[1] Founded in 1974, the Lyric Stage Company is a non-profit organization located at 140 Clarendon Street in the YWCA building. It has been under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Spiro Veloudos since 1998.[2] The theatre produces about seven plays and musicals each season and is especially well known for its productions of Stephen Sondheim musicals.
 Inside the theatre of the Lyric Stage | |
| Address | 140 Clarendon Street Boston, Massachusetts United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit |
| Capacity | 234[3] |
| Opened | 1974[4] |
| Years active | 43 |
| Website | |
| https://www.lyricstage.com/ | |
Mission
The mission of the Lyric Stage Company of Boston is to produce intimate, challenging and entertaining theatre; reflect the tastes and backgrounds of 21st century Boston; and provide a home for Boston-based theatre artists to establish and expand their careers.[5] It accomplishes this through outreach programs, employment, training, and development opportunities.
History
Building
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston was founded in 1974 by Ron Ritchell and Polly Hogan and began performances in the Community Church on Boylston Street. Two years later, the Lyric Stage moved to a theatre at 56 Charles Street.[6] The stage was less than 300 square feet and sat no more than 103 audience members. The Lyric Stage moved again 140 Clarendon Street where it currently resides. The current theatre is almost triple the original size, includes a band loft, and seats 234.[7]
Theatre
The Lyric Stage's first season consisted of Antigone and The Second Man. The Importance of Being Earnest was its first production at 54 Charles Street; the theatre at 140 Clarendon opened with a production of Red Hot & Cole.[8] In its 1995–96 season, the Lyric Stage's production of Whoop-Dee-Doo! earned the theatre its first Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Designer. The theatre's first large-scale musical production occurred in its 2001–02 season with Sunday in the Park with George. A 2014 production of Into the Woods is the highest grossing run in Lyric Stage history.[9]
Community Involvement
As part of its mission to support the Boston theatre scene, the Lyric Stage is committed to casting and hiring local playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and musicians. Since its founding, the Lyric Stage has employed over 800 actors and 160 designers.[10]
Fresh Ink Theatre Partnership
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston develops new plays through its partnership with Fresh Ink Theatre.[11] This initiative supports playwrights, actors and directors through the development of new works.
Lyric First Stage
Lyric First stage is a summer program designed for young artists to gain theatrical experience.[12] The program consists of professional mentors who teach a company of teenagers through workshops in music, text, and movement. At the end of each Lyric First Stage program, these young artists perform fully staged productions for a live audience.
Lyric First Curtain
Lyric First Curtain is an educational initiative which gives Boston educators the ability to include drama in their curriculum.[13] This program gives students the opportunity to experience theatre, which they may not otherwise have access to, and delivers theatre education to local communities. Lyric First Curtain is currently in residence at McKinley School (Boston Public Schools) and at the Dudley Public Library.
Past Productions
Ref[14]
Awards
2019
- IRNE Award – Best Projection Design, Small Theatre
Jonathan Carr, Kiss of the Spider Woman
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress (Musical), Small Theater
Yewande Odetoyinbo, Breath and Imagination
- IRNE Award – Best Actor (Musical), Small Theater
Eddy Cavazos, Kiss of the Spider Woman [15]
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Midsize Theater
The Wolves
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance
Davron S. Monroe, Breath & Imagination
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater
A. Nora Long, The Wolves [16]
2018
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actor
Will McGarrahan, Souvenir
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress
Leigh Barrett, Gypsy and Souvenir
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Musical Theater
Summer L. Williams, Barbecue[17]
2017
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Midsize Theatre
Paula Plum, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Midsize Theatre
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
- IRNE Award – Best Projection Design
Seaghan McKay, Sondheim on Sondheim
2016
- IRNE Award – Best Solo Performance
Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
- IRNE Award – Best Actress, Midsize (Drama)
Lindsey McWhorter, Intimate Apparel
- IRNE Award – Best Actress, Musical
Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
- IRNE Award – Best Director, Musical
Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
- IRNE Award – Best Musical
My Fair Lady
- IRNE Award – Special Award for Valiant Replacement
Paula Plum, Red Hot Patriot
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production, Midsize, Small or Fringe
My Fair Lady
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Midsize
Cloteal Horne, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Solo Performance
Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Midsize
Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
- Elliot Norton Award – Musical Performance by an Actress
Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
2015
- IRNE Award – Best Lighting Design
Franklin Meissner, Jr., Sweeney Todd
- IRNE Award – Best Ensemble, Midsize
Into the Woods
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress, Midsize (Drama)
Paula Plum, Death of a Salesman
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor, Midsize (Drama)
Kelby T. Akin, Death of a Salesman
- IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical
Spiro Veloudos, Into the Woods
- IRNE Award – Best Musical
Into the Woods
- IRNE Award – Best Play, Midsize
Death of a Salesman
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Midsize
Nael Nacer, Intimate Apparel
- Elliot Norton Award – Best Director, Midsize
Spiro Veloudos, Into the Woods
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress
Aimee Doherty, Into the Woods
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production
Into the Woods
2014
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress
Aimee Doherty, On the Town
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Play
John Davin, One Man, Two Guvnors
2013
- IRNE Award – Best Musical
Avenue Q
- IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Play
Celeste Oliva, Chinglish
- IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical
Erica Spyres, Avenue Q
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
David Kravitz, The Mikado
- IRNE Award – Best Music Director
Catherine Stornetta, Avenue Q
- IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical
Spiro Veloudos, Avenue Q
- IRNE Award – Best Puppet Appearance
Avenue Q
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production
Avenue Q
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Ensemble
Avenue Q
2011
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director
Spiro Veloudos & Courtney O'Connor, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor
Johnny Lee Davenport, Broke-ology
2010
- IRNE Award – Best Play by Midsize Company
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- IRNE Award – Best Director of a Drama
Spiro Veloudos, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor
Jason Powers, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- IRNE Award – Best Ensemble
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
- IRNE Award – Best Lighting
Scott Clyve, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
2009
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production
Speech & Debate
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director
Scott Edmiston, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- IRNE Award – Best Musical
Grey Gardens
- IRNE Award – Best Music Director
Jonathan Goldberg, Grey Gardens and Kiss Me, Kate
- IRNE Award – Best Director (Musical)
Spiro Veloudos, Grey Gardens and Kiss Me, Kate
2007
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production
Miss Witherspoon
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Paula Plum, Miss Witherspoon
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor
Larry Coen, Miss Witherspoon
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Design
Dewey Dellay, Miss Witherspoon
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Leigh Barrett, Souvenir
- IRNE Award – Best Musical
Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical
Spiro Veloudos, Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Musical Director
Jonathan Goldberg, Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical
Caroline DeLima, Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Robert Saoud, Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Lighting
Scott Clyve, Man of La Mancha
- IRNE Award – Best Set Design
Janie E. Howland, Man of La Mancha
2006
- Elliot Norton Award – Recipient of the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence
Spiro Veloudos
- IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama
Paula Plum, The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia?
- IRNE Award – Best Solo Performance
Lanna Joffrey, 9 Parts of Desire
- IRNE Award – Best Actor in a Musical
1776, Peter A. Carey
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor/Musical
1776, Timothy John Smith
2005
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Andrea Ross, A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Musical Production
Urinetown
- IRNE Award – Best Choreography
Ilyse Robbins, Urinetown
- IRNE Award – Best Direction
Spiro Veloudos, Urinetown
2004
- IRNE Award – Best Musical Production
A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical
Spiro Veloudos, A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Music Direction
Jon Goldberg, A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Actor in a Musical
Christopher Chew, A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical
Maryann Zschau, A Little Night Music
- IRNE Award – Best Costume Design
David Cabral, A Little Night Music, Noises Off
2003
- Theatre Hero Award –
Spiro Veloudos
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress
Ellen Colton, Beyond Belief
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor/Musical
Steven Barkheimer, Book of Days
- IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Brian Robinson, When Pigs Fly, Side Show
2002
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production
Sunday in the Park with George
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor
Robert Pemberton, Lobby Hero
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Costume Design
Gail Astrid Buckley, Curse of the Bambino
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Musical
Sunday in the Park with George
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Director
Spiro Veloudos, Sunday in the Park with George
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress
Maryann Zschau, No Way to Treat a Lady, Sunday in the Park with George
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Actor
Jason Schuchman, Lobby Hero
2001
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor
Phillip Patrone, Side Man
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Bobbie Steinbach, Over The River and Through the Woods
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress
Bobbie Steinbach, Over The River and Through the Woods
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Choreographer
Ilyse Robbins, She Love Me, A... My Name Will Always Be Alice
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Supporting Actor
Philip Patrone, Side Man
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Supporting Actress
Jacqui Parker, A... My Name Will Always be Alice
2000
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production
The Old Settler
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Jacqui Parker, The Old Settler
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director
Spiro Veloudos, Lost in Yonkers, Assassins, Never the Sinner
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Production
The Old Settler
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Director
Lois Roach, The Old Settler
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress
Jacqui Parker, The Old Settler
- IRNE Award – Outstanding Actor
Steve McConnell, The Judas Kiss
1999
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Sheila Ferrini, Lost in Yonkers
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Direction
Spiro Veloudos, Lost in Yonkers, Assassins, Never the Sinner
- Best of Boston – Best Theatre Artistic Director
Spiro Veloudos
1997
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production
Speed-The-Plow
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Designer
Janie Fliegel, Speed-the-Plow/Blithe Spirit
- Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress
Dee Nelson, Blithe Spirit
References
- "Boston's Theater District".
- "The Big Daddy of Boston's Resident Theatres, Spiro Veloudos". Berkshire Fine Arts.
- "Lyric Stage Box Office".
- Friedman, Arthur (November 1, 1991). "The Lyric Stage Spreads its Wings". Boston Herald.
- "Lyric Stage Mission".
- Friedman, Arthur (November 1, 1991). "The Lyric Stage Spreads its Wings". Boston Herald.
- Friedman, Arthur (November 1, 1991). "The Lyric Stage Spreads its Wings". Boston Herald.
- "Lyric Stage History".
- "Lyric Stage History".
- "Lyric Stage Mission".
- "Kong's Night Out".
- "Lyric First Stage".
- "Lyric First Curtain".
- "Lyric Stage Production Archive".
- http://www.abouttheartists.com/award_groups/24-irne-awards/year/2019
- https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/fe57c5_6132a0f7a0f94d58b395eecf1f4b0d7e.pdf
- "The 36th Annual Elliot Norton Award Recipients" (PDF). The Elliot Norton Awards. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- "Lyric Stage Awards".
- "IRNE Award Past Winners".
- "Elliot Norton Award Winners".