Jane Lynch Will Emcee Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th Anniversary Concert, 11/1

Lyric Opera general director Anthony Freud today announced that Jane Lynch, the Emmy-winning actress acclaimed for portraying coach Sue Sylvester on the hit television series Glee, will serve as master of ceremonies for Lyric Opera of Chicago's 60th Anniversary Concert, November 1, 2014, at 6:30 pm at the Civic Opera House.

The Dolton, Illinois, native "cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre, and in many church basements all over the greater Chicagoland area, helping her become the comedic talent she is today," as her official bio notes.

Host of the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Lynch has been featured on Desperate Housewives, Weeds, The L Word, Party Down, Lovespring, and other television programs. She has recurring roles on Two and a Half Men, for which she was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress, Criminal Minds, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. Her long list of film credits include A.C.O.D., The Three Stooges, Julie and Julia, Talladega Nights, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Christopher Guest's For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind, and Best in Show, among many others. She's also been featured in animated films and TV shows including Wreck-It Ralph, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Space Chimps, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Cleveland Show, The Simpsons, and Shrek Forever After.

"I am thrilled that Jane Lynch will be hosting our gala," said Lyric Opera creative consultant Renée Fleming. "We first met at the national tree lighting in Washington, D.C., last year, and most recently at the opening night of A Streetcar Named Desire in Los Angeles. I was delighted that she agreed to my request to host our gala. As all of America knows by now, she is a comedic genius, and I can't wait to see her dry wit and impeccable timing on the Lyric stage!"

The world-renowned improv comedy troupe The Second City will join forces with a starry array of internationally acclaimed singers gathering to perform for Lyric's 60th Anniversary Concert.

Sir Andrew Davis will lead the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus, members of the Ryan Opera Center, and a luminary roster including Renée Fleming and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, Stephanie Blythe, Johan Botha, Christine Goerke, Susan Graham, Quinn Kelsey, Mariusz Kwiecie?, Ana María Martínez, Eric Owens, Sondra Radvanovsky, Samuel Ramey, Marina Rebeka, and Amber Wagner.

Tickets are available to subscribers from $49 at lyricopera.org. Patrons wishing to attend the Diamond Ball that follows the concert should contact the Lyric Women's Board Office at 312-827-5681.