Lyric’s Thelma Gaylord Academy to Present SWEENEY TODD, ALADDIN, THEO AND THE MAGIC ROAD

Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy presents its 2012 spring semester productions of SWEENEY TODD, SCHOOL EDITION performing April 26 through 28, DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR., performing May 4 and 5, and RoKademY's THEO AND THE MAGIC ROAD performing May 26 on the stage of Lyric's Plaza Theatre on 16th Street.

Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy's thirty junior high and high school students in grades 8 through 12 will present four performances of SWEENEY TODD, SCHOOL EDITION. The "School Edition" is a special version of the 1979 musical thriller approved and edited by Stephen Sondheim himself. With a few musical changes, a couple of judicious lyric alterations, and some re-voicing, SWEENEY TODD, SCHOOL EDITION brings all the familiar moments such as "The Worst Pies in London", "A Little Priest" and "Pretty Women" to the stage.

"While SWEENEY TODD, SCHOOL EDITION is, at first glance, not a typical 'school show,' the few changes made my Mr. Sondheim to accommodate younger performers while keeping the flavor and spirit of the show, make it a perfect fit for our students," says Stephen Hilton, Director of Education. "It will be the most challenging music they've ever tackled and will push many of them to dramatic places they've never been asked to go before."

Performances of the student production will take place on Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 28at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Twenty-eight students in grades 2 through 7 will perform in DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR. See all of your favorite characters here in Disney's ALADDIN JR., a stage adaptation of the Disney hit film. Filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides. Enjoy favorite songs like "A Whole New World," "Friend Like Me" and "One Jump Ahead."

"Disney's ALADDIN JR. is based on the movie, but as with any stage adaptation, it has its own flavor," says Hilton. "I love the music and the spirit of the show, from the crazy Genie to the sarcastic parrot, Iago, and the students are responding tremendously to the task."

Performances will take place on Friday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Joining Hilton's production staff for both SWEENEY TODD and ALADDIN JR. are Matthew Sipress, choreographer and Kevin Smith, music director.

This spring semester, Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy presents its third RoKademY performance. Written and directed by rock composer, performer and musician Matthew Alvin Brown, these students ages 12-18 are performing THEO AND THE MAGIC ROAD at Lyric's Plaza Theatre on Saturday, May 26 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.

All together, over 65 students from across the metro will sing, dance, and entertain, putting into practice the training they have received in Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy classes.

Show tickets for all three student productions are $10 and are on sale now to the public. Call (405) 524-9312 or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com to get your tickets.

Lyric's ThElma Gaylord Academy is sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, Allied Arts, Globe Life And Accident Insurance Company and Watermark for Kids.

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