The Lyric Theatre Celebrates 50th Anniversary with One-Night-Only Concert Tonight

The Lyric Theatre, one of Montreal's longest-standing, award-wining community theatre companies, celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a one-night-only concert, tonight, October 17th at Concordia's Oscar Peterson Concert Hall. The celebration combines the current 40+ members of The Lyric Theatre Singers with more than 80 performers from The Lyric Theatre Alumni Chorus, who were former stage production cast members or Lyric Singers, creating the biggest Lyric Chorus ever!

"The Lyric Theatre Anniversary Concert is a celebration of all the people, shows, and music that shaped a highly respected, community organization. One that exists not only to give amateurs an outlet to grow and exhibit their talents, but to provide fertile ground for aspiring professionals- performers, technicians, designers, administrators- to hone their skills and launch their careers, under the expert guidance of seasoned professionals. And believe me, there's an impressive list of successful pros who at one time were Lyric members. People like Richard Jutras (veteran stage, film and TV actor), Jane Hackett (theatre and television actor), Nadia Verrucci (actor and Artistic Director of In Your Face Productions), Merissa Tordjman (award-winning Montreal Stage Manager), Quincy Armorer (Artistic Director of Black Theatre Workshop, now starring in Centaur Theatre's The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God) and Jenny Wright (currently in her 18th season at the Shaw Festival)", said Louise Dorais, President of Lyric's Board of Directors. "Each and every person who took part in a Lyric production since 1965 has contributed to its success. Their commitment, their love of music and Lyric, is why we are thriving, stronger than ever, today."

This exciting musical event includes selections from the Lyric Singers' June concert with special selections performed by the Alumni Chorus. Musical directors Bob Bachelor and Chris Barillaro, with choreographer, Mary Sarli, and co-stage director, Cathy Burns, have selected the perfect musical gems to create one show-stopping moment after another. Highlights from such smash hits as the snappy, toe-tapping Hairspray and the hilariously irreverent The Book of Mormon take centre stage alongside songs from Company, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, Beauty and the Beast, Spring Awakening and much more.

Donations of non-perishable goods will be gratefully accepted for the NDG Food Depot.