Lyric Theatre To Produce World Premiere WHEN WE'RE GONE

Lyric Theatre concludes its regular 2018 season next month with a world-premiere rock musical - the fifth title in the organization's New Works Initiative.

When We're Gone follows Todd, an angst-ridden teen, in plague-ridden, 14th century London and his desire to make great art in a time of great need. The three-week run opens September 29 (with previews starting September 26) at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16 St., and continues through October 14.

This marks the fifth production in Lyric's New Works Initiative, which began in 2014 with the world premiere of Triangle and continued in 2015 with Bernice Bobs Her Hair and Mann... And Wife in 2016 - all staged at the Plaza Theatre. Last year, Lyric unveiled a new production of Disney's When You Wish during its Summer at the Civic Center.

The book and lyrics for When We're Gone were written by Alana Jacoby with music from Scotty Arnold (both from New York). This production, which was eight years in the making, marks the team's first collaboration with Lyric Theatre. It was presented at the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2016.

"When We're Gone mashes up a rock musical with a morality play," said Michael Baron, Lyric's producing artistic director. "Audiences who loved The Who's Tommy will enjoy this wildly creative new musical that strikes a brilliant balance of modern-day characters with a pop-punk score."

The cast features Van Hughes as John. Hughes' Broadway credits include Spring Awakening, American Idiot, 9 to 5 and Hairspray. Cast in the lead role of Todd is John Furey. His credits include Anxiety Stew (Off-Broadway) and regionally, Hair, Spring Awakening and West Side Story. This will be both Hughes' and Furey's debuts with Lyric. Derrick Medrano, last seen in Lyric's 2017 production of Rock of Ages, stars as Ashton, and Antonio Rodriguez (from Lyric's recent summer productions of Disney's Freaky Friday and Hello, Dolly!) is cast as Colin. Lyric favorite Matthew Alvin Brown (Assassins, Fiddler on the Roof, I Am My Own Wife) returns to the stage as William. The cast also features Kat Metcalfe (Rosie), who is making her Lyric debut.

"The seed of this show is about asking how to justify art in a world that's falling apart, and we don't think the timing of its premiere is an accident," Arnold said. "Our cast is outstanding, including a couple of our favorite NYC performers joining an amazingly talented bunch of Oklahomans. Being in a room where these top-notch people are telling a story and making music together is going to be a pretty thrilling experience."

The production, directed by Baron, will feature scenic design by Adam Koch, costumes from Jeffrey Meek, lighting design by Helena Kuukka and sound design by Sam Kusnetz. Music direction will be provided by James Dobinson with stage management by Laurena Sherrill.

Single tickets start at just $25, and the production is recommended for mature audiences only due to adult situations and language. For more information, visit LyricTheatreOKC.org or call Lyric's box office at (405) 524-9312.

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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