Disney, Dolly And Dancing! Lyric Theatre Returns To OKC Civic Center For Summer Season

Disney, Dolly and Dancing will highlight Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma's 2018 Summer at the Civic season, which begins June 26 in downtown Oklahoma City.

The season includes three large-scale, fully-orchestrated productions at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave., opening with Disney's Freaky Friday (June 26-July 1), continuing with Hello, Dolly! (July 10-15) and concluding with the ever-popular hit Mamma Mia! (July 24-29). And, for the first time, Lyric has extended each run to include both a Saturday and Sunday matinee performance.

Based on the popular Disney movies, Freaky Friday is a new musical adaptation about a mother and daughter, who through a little mystic mayhem, wake up to the biggest freak-out ever - trapped inside each other's body. And, they have just one day to put things right again before mom's big wedding. Lyric is proud to present the regional premiere of this production.

"Freaky Friday is a modern, upbeat musical comedy that is truly funny with an awesome, new pop-musical score," said Lyric's Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron, who is directing this run. "This theatre delight holds up a magical mirror to modern parenthood and gives the whole family reasons to laugh with each other and about each other."

The cast of the production includes mother-daughter team Jennifer Teel (Katherine Blake) and Celeste Rose (Ellie Blake) and also stars Noah Waggoner (Fletcher Blake), Mateja Govich (Mike Riley), Sean Watkinson (Adam), Maggie Spicer (Torrey) and Madison Hamilton (Savannah).

Written by Bridget Carpenter with music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, the production is based on the novel by Mary Rodgers and features choreography by Amy Reynolds-Reed. Freaky Friday's music director is Jan McDaniel with set design by Katie Sullivan, costume design by Jeffrey Meek and sound design by Anthony Risi. Courtney Strong will serve as props designer, Helena Kuukka is lighting designer and the production will be stage managed by Julie Meyer.

Up next at the Civic Center, Lyric brings Hello, Dolly! back where she belongs with a lavish new production. The show, with music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Michael Stewart, is being directed by Lyric's Ashley Wells and choreographed by Matthew Sipress - both of whom starred opposite Carol Channing on Broadway in Hello, Dolly! The tale of the widowed matchmaker Dolly Levi comes to brilliant life as she hunts for a bride for the "half-a-millionaire" Horace Vandergelder. With a sold-out run currently on Broadway, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy Lyric's grand staging of Herman's memorable score with a full orchestra and high-kicking choreography. Starring as the matchmaker in Lyric's production is Dee Hoty, a three-time Tony Award-nominated actress.

"I can't wait to see Dee Hoty play the remarkable Dolly Levi," Wells said. "After her stunning performance in Lyric's A Little Night Music in 2014, I am excited to get to work with her on a show that holds a special place in my heart. Matthew and I are looking forward to sharing this amazing classic with the Oklahoma audiences."

The production also stars Broadway's George Dvorsky (Horace Vandergelder), Bailey Maxwell (Ernestina), Jackson Walker (Ambrose Kemper), Megan Carpenter (Ermengarde), Matthew Alvin Brown (Cornelius Hackl), Gordie Beingessner (Barnaby Tucker), Virginia Newsome (Minnie Fay), Kristy Cates (Irene Molloy) and Vince Leseney (Rudolph). Set design is by Kimberly Powers, featuring costumes by Jeffrey Meek and music direction by David Andrews Rogers. Props design will be by Courtney Strong, lighting design by Helena Kuukka and Julie Meyer will be production stage manager.

Lyric's Summer at the Civic culminates with Mamma Mia!, the smash mega-musical hit based on the songs of ABBA. A sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise where on the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island she last visited 20 years ago. The magic of ABBA's timely songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. From Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, this high-energy production is being directed and choreographed by Lyn Cramer.

"Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good tale of love conquering all," Cramer said. "A celebration of love, laughter, family and friendship, Mamma Mia! is exactly what the world needs right now, an uplifting, fun-filled night at the theatre."

The production stars Jessica Martens (Sophie), Meredith Inglesby (Donna) and Barb Schoenhofer (Tanya). It features Ashley Arnold (Lisa), Gregory DeCandia (Harry), Tommy Glenn (Bill) and Steve Blanchard (Sam). The production includes music direction by David Andrews Rogers, scenic design by Kimberly Powers, costume design by Jeffrey Meek, lighting design by Helena Kuukka and sound design by Anthony Risi. Julie Meyer will serve as the production stage manager.

Season ticket packages are still available for all three shows starting at just $84. For more information, call the box office at (405) 524-9312 or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org

About Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

Founded in 1963, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is the state's leading professional theatre company. Lyric produces classic and contemporary musicals, new works, and plays featuring artists from Oklahoma and around the nation. Shows are presented at two Oklahoma City venues - the intimate Plaza Theatre and in the summer at the grand Civic Center Music Hall. Lyric's Thelma Gaylord Academy is the premier professional theatre training ground, offering classes in all aspects of the performing arts. Lyric is a nonprofit member theatre of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and Allied Arts. For more information, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org

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