Lyric Theatre Kicks Off 50th Summer Season with TARZAN Tonight

By: Jun. 25, 2013
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This June, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will return to the Civic Center Music Hall with a high-flying, powerful production of TARZAN, starring New York-based actor Nicholas Rodriguez as the title character. Running tonight, June 25-29, the show will mark the beginning of Lyric's four-show, 50th Anniversary Summer Season and will feature an original set by Helen Hayes Award-winning scenic designer Adam Koch and Oklahoma City artist Erin Latham.

"Our production of TARZAN is going to be a truly stunning presentation and will be a wonderful homage to Lyric's 50th Anniversary and how much the theatre has grown over the years," said Michael Baron, Lyric's artistic director and director of the show. "The combination of Phil Collins' music, the talented actors, the original set and acrobatics will be an unforgettable experience for patrons."

The TARZAN stage will be filled with national and local talent. One of the Rodriguez's most notable roles was Curly in Arena Stage's non-traditionally cast production of OKLAHOMA! Broadway actor Steve Blanchard, who most recently graced the Lyric Stage in last summer's CALL ME MADAM, will play Kerchak and Heather Botts will join the cast as Jane.

Two notable members of the technical staff of TARZAN are Daniel Stover and Erin Latham. Stover is currently director of AntiGravity Orlando, a well-known acrobatics performance group. The aerialist will train the TARZAN performers to create the high-flying effects the show requires. Local Oklahoma City award-winning artist Erin Latham is collaborating with scenic designer Adam Koch to design the set for TARZAN. Latham's mixed media printmaking will add to the look of Koch's innovative design.

Koch, a 2009 Helen Hayes Award nominee for Stage Design, was the mastermind behind Lyric's sets for BYE BYE BIRDIE, SWEET CHARITY and CALL ME MADAM in the summer of 2012. His work on the three shows was featured in an October 2012 article in Stage Directionsmagazine. Koch's work on the TARZAN and BIG RIVER sets this summer is much anticipated. Two of his most notable set designs are Signature Theatre's DREAMGIRLS and the critically acclaimed MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Broadway.

Tickets to all of Lyric's 2013 shows are now on sale. To buy tickets, visit Lyric's box office at 1727 NW 16th Street, call (405) 524-9312 or visit LyricTheatreOKC.com. Performances will be held at the Civic Center Music Hall on Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m.

Founded in 1963, Lyric is Oklahoma's leading professional theatre company. For 50 years, Lyric has produced classic and contemporary musicals and plays featuring both nationally known Broadway stars and local favorites. Lyric produces four large-scale, fully orchestrated musicals at the Civic Center Music Hall each summer, as well as four smaller works at the Plaza Theatre during the spring, fall and winter. Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy is a professional training ground for students ages 5-18 offering classes in all aspects of musical theatre. Academy students have the opportunity to perform in two full-scale productions each year on the Plaza Theatre stage. For more information visit LyricTheatreOKC.com.

Pictured: Max Brown as Young TARZAN. Photo by Keith Rinearson.



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