Lyric to Open 2014 Season with Rousing Comedy THE ODD COUPLE

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will open its much anticipated 2014 Season with the classic Neil Simon comedy THE ODD COUPLE, running Jan. 29 through Feb. 15 at the Plaza Theatre. The lead roles of Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison will be played by Texas-based actor Martin Burke and local favorite Jonathan Beck Reed. The production will be the first of an eight-show season that includes LES MISERABLES, THE LITTLE MERMAID, MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT and more.

THE ODD COUPLE tells the story of the unlikely roommates neat-freak Felix and slovenly Oscar. The play originally debuted on Broadway in 1965 and has been a hit ever since.

"I'm a huge fan of the comedies of Neil Simon and THE ODD COUPLE is one of his funniest-it's the perfect way to usher audiences into 2014," said Michael Baron, Lyric's artistic director. "I'm thrilled to introduce the hystericAl Martin Burke to Oklahoma audiences. Martin and Jonathan will make a wonderful comedic team."

Winner of the Austin Critics Table Award for Best Acting in a Leading Role for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Burke boasts an impressive resume of on-stage and voice acting credits. Reed has been performing with Lyric for 19 years and this is the first time he will take on the role of Oscar. Joining them in the cast are Michael A. Page as Murray, Matthew Alvin Brown as Speed, Brian Stockton as Roy, Rodney Brazil as Vinnie, Lexi Windsor as Gwendolyn Pigeon and Jennifer Teel as Cecily Pigeon.

THE ODD COUPLE is sponsored by Chesapeake Energy and The Oklahoman. Annual support is provided by Allied Arts, Inasmuch Foundation, Kirkpatrick Foundation, Oklahoma Arts Council and The Shubert Foundation.

Season tickets for 2014 are now on sale and single tickets go on sale to the public on January 6. To buy tickets, visit Lyric's box office at 1727 NW 16th Street, call (405) 524-9312, or visit LyricTheatreOKC.com. The Plaza Theatre is located at 1725 NW 16th Street.

About Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma

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.

To post a comment, you must register and login.