Lyric Theatre's THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES to Feature OKC Thunder's Storm Chasers & More

Last time Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma presented THE Will Rogers FOLLIES was in 2002, during the theatre's first performances at the newly-renovated Civic Center Music Hall. In homage to this important milestone, the theatre will present the musical during its 50th Anniversary Season, July 23-27 at the Civic Center.

The fact that THE Will Rogers FOLLIES is based on Oklahoma's favorite son will not be the production's only tie to the state. The portion of the show reserved for a 'wild west act' will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder's trick basketball team, the Storm Chasers. The three daredevils will wow audiences each night with flips and dunks. Each performance will also include an Oklahoma arts, political or civic leader playing the role of Wiley Post. Those already signed on include Mike Turpen, Kirk Humphreys, Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic DirectorRobert Mills and Oklahoma City Philharmonic Music Director Joel Levine.

"We present THE Will Rogers FOLLIES in the spirit of celebrating Oklahoma's past and present," saidMichael Baron, Lyric's artistic director. "The show is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, complete with its spectacular, iconic, light-up staircase and rope tricks."

Lyn Cramer, who directed and choreographed Lyric's production of BYE BYE BIRDIE last summer, will direct the show. Headlining the cast is Tom Huston Orr as Will Rogers. Orr was seen most recently as Tom Cratchit in Lyric's A CHRISTMAS CAROL and is the director of the School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma. Joining Orr in the cast is Broadway's WICKED star Kristy Cates, last seen in Lyric's RAGTIME, as Betty Blake, Erin Bowman as Zigfield's Favorite and Tom Flagg as Clem Rogers, who is currently in the cast of THE FANTASTICKS in New York City. David Andrews Rogers will music direct the show.

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.

Lyric's production of THE Will Rogers FOLLIES is sponsored by Bank of Oklahoma, The Chickasaw Nation, BancFirst, Orthopedic Associates, Chesapeake Energy and The Oklahoman. Annual support is provided by Allied Arts, Inasmuch Foundation, Kirkpatrick Foundation and Oklahoma Arts Council.

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