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The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is the oldest professional theatre company in Boston. Founded in 1974, the non-profit theatre is located in the YWCA building at 140 Clarendon Street. It produces six plays and musicals each season and is known for its Stephen Sondheim musical productions.

History

Location

Ron Ritchell and Polly Hogan founded the Lyric Stage Company of Boston in 1974, with performances staged in the Community Church on Boylston Street. In 1976, the Lyric Stage moved to a theatre at 56 Charles Street. The stage was small, less than 300 square feet, and it sat 103. In 1991, the Lyric Stage moved to its current location in the YWCA Building at 140 Clarendon Street. The theatre has a large stage, a band loft, and seats 234.

Notable Productions

In its first season, the Lyric Stage produced Antigone and The Second Man.

Its first production at 54 Charles Street was The Importance of Being Earnest.

The first production at 140 Clarendon was Red Hot & Cole.

The Lyric Stage's production of Whoop-Dee-Doo! In the 1995-1996 season earned its first Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Designer.

The theatre's first large-scale musical production was Sunday in the Park with George in the 2001-2002 season.

The 2022 production of The Play That Goes Wrong is the highest grossing run in Lyric Stage history.

Community involvement

In fulfilling its mission to support the Boston theatre scene, the Lyric Stage casts and hires local playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and musicians. Since its founding, the Lyric Stage has employed over 800 actors and 160 designers.

Lyric For All

Lyric Stage presents live theatre that promotes inclusivity and connection in an effort to integrate live theater into the lives of all residents of Greater Boston. There are affordable options available making theatre truly for all.

Lyric Back Stage

An education program that provides an introduction to the jobs and potential back stage career paths in the performing arts such as lighting, sound, props, and costuming.

Lyric First Page

Lyric First Page was created in 2020 to provide playwriting opportunities and resources to Boston Public School students and interested students from the surrounding communities. The festival of readings features work that reflects students’ experiences ranging from everyday activities to dreams and even outer space. Lyric First Page’s mission is to provide an outlet for students and connect them with their own potential to be theater makers. A volunteer panel of theater professionals and teachers evaluate submissions on character, dialogue, plot, content, and impact. All playwrights receive feedback and may be included in a future reading series highlighting the talents of Boston-based students.

Past productions

Ref

References

1. "Boston's Theater District".
2. ^ "Lyric Stage History". Archived from the original on February 18, 2018.
3. Friedman, Arthur (November 1, 1991). "The Lyric Stage Spreads its Wings". Boston Herald.
4. "Lyric Stage Box Office".
5. Edelstein, David (September 28, 1982). "Strangers on a Twain". The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
6. "Lyric Stage Production Archive".

External links

• The Lyric Stage Website

• Theatres in Boston
• Theatre company production histories
• 1974 establishments in Massachusetts