About Us
The Lyric Stage is an intimate 240-seat 3/4 thrust stage located in the heart of Boston’s Copley Square.
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston produces and presents live theatre in Greater Boston with an intimate approach that promotes inclusivity and connection. The Lyric Stage leads an effort to integrate live theater and theater education into the lives of all residents of greater Boston.
Established in 1974, the Lyric Stage is Boston’s oldest resident theatre company, producing a seven-show season which ranges in theatrical genres including classic Broadway-style musicals, new plays and established classics. Highly acclaimed for the breadth, excellence, and variety of its productions, the Lyric Stage is the recipient of 37 Elliot Norton Awards and 66 Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards.
Our educational programming reflects a commitment to introduce theatre to Boston’s residents and to inspire young residents of Boston to discover the multiple ways in which theatre can enhance, or become, a life-long career. In 2018, the Lyric Stage began a working relationship with City Stage Co., which reaches over 65,000 students and families each year with its educational performances and workshops, including over 800 annual performances at the Children’s Museum of Boston. The two companies will collaborate to expand the number of schools they jointly reach, and to develop new ways to introducing live theatre to young residents of Boston.
With few exceptions, the actors, directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, music directors, and musicians that work at the Lyric Stage live in the Greater Boston area. In casting and hiring, the artistic department seeks to balance ongoing relationships with opportunities for emerging local artists. We work from artists represented by various theatrical unions, including Actors Equity Association and the Boston Musicians Association, in an effort to make the Lyric Stage a theatrical home to rising and established artists.
Yewande Odetoyinbo* with Juanita Pearl, Soneka Anderson, and Lance-Patrick Strickland in The Wiz.
Photo by Mark S. Howard.
Leigh Barrett* as Mama Rose in Gypsy.
Photo by Mark S. Howard.
Educational & Youth Outreach Programs
In 2018, the Lyric Stage acquired City Stage Company, a leading provider of educational theater programs in Boston, merging the resources of both companies to reach more families and youth in the City of Boston. Lyric Stage educational and youth outreach programs include:
City Stage
The City Stage program is designed to expose students at all levels to theater as a part of their regular curriculum. City Stage is based on the Performance Cycle, created by the Arts Literacy Project at Brown Univ., and engages students in creative drama, scripting, and acting-out of narrative that enable them to analyze, interpret, and deeply experience plays, poetry, memoirs, and fiction. Through City Stage, students develop theatre and language arts skills and create art in alignment with state curriculum standards. We offer a variety of versions of City Stage to elementary, middle, and high schools in Boston. For the 2019-2020 school year, City Stage is confirmed to be at five Boston Public Schools: Nathan Hale Elementary School and Orchard Gardens in Roxbury; Thomas J Kenny Elementary School in Dorchester; William McKinley Elementary School in the South End; and Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School in South Boston. We will work with approximately 800 students through these BPS programs.
Approximately 84% of the children reached through City Stage are from low- and moderate-income families. Research demonstrates the positive impacts of the arts on low-income neighborhoods – reducing criminal activity and lowering truancy rates. It is because of this that Lyric Stage is devoted to supporting these communities.
The study and practice of theatrical art provides young people with social capital and establishes a number of soft skill essential for success. Chief among these are problem-solving, teamwork, written and verbal communication, ability to analyze text, self-confidence and public speaking.
Students served through the Boston Public School system are: 45% Black, 32% White, 17% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 3% Other.
Audiences and Actors of City Stage
KidStage
In partnership with the Boston Children’s Museum since 1988, KidStage has created hands-on exhibits, participatory plays, and education programs. Lyric Stage actors offer 800 to 1,000 annual KidStage performances for as many as 65,000 children and their families. For many attendees, kids and adults alike, KidStage is their first exposure to live theatre.
Touring Shows
Currently, our touring shows offer three productions: The History and Adventures of Tom Thumb; Folktales East & West; and Folktales North & South. The shows range from 30-40 minutes and are produced for family audiences. Each show is performed by two professional, adult actors and put a strong focus on participation from audience volunteers. The shows tour primarily to schools and libraries: efforts will soon be underway to create a more ambitious touring calendar to reach all branches of the Boston Public Library, with multi-lingual productions.
Lyric First Stage
Established in 2006, First Stage is a summer-time intensive for students with some previous theatrical training. Following an audition, students work with professional theatre artists who regularly work on Lyric Stage professional productions, with a focus on the music of Stephen Sondheim – a frequent staple of Lyric Stage professional seasons.
Lyric First Stage is currently on hiatus as the program is re-vamped.
Awards
2020
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Katrina Z Pavao, Little Shop of Horrors
2019
IRNE Award – Best Projection Design, Small Theatre, Jonathan Carr, Kiss of the Spider Woman
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress (Musical), Small Theater, Yewande Odetoyinbo, Breath and Imagination
IRNE Award – Best Actor (Musical), Small Theater, Eddy Cavazos, Kiss of the Spider Woman
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Midsize Theater, The Wolves
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance, Davron S. Monroe, Breath & Imagination
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater, A. Nora Long, The Wolves
2018
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actor, Will McGarrahan, Souvenir
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Leigh Barrett, Gypsy & Souvenir
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Midsize Theater, Summer L. Williams, Barbecue
2017
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Midsize Theatre, Paula Plum, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production Midsize Theatre, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
IRNE Award – Best Projection Design, Seaghan McKay, Sondheim on Sondheim
2016
IRNE Award – Best Solo Performance, Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
IRNE Award – Best Actress, Midsize (Drama), Lindsey McWhorter, Intimate Apparel
IRNE Award – Best Actress, Musical, Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award – Best Director, Musical, Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award – Best Musical, My Fair Lady
IRNE Award – Special Award for Valiant Replacement, Paula Plum, Red Hot Patriot
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production, Midsize, Small or Fringe, My Fair Lady
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Midsize, Cloteal Horne, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Solo Performance, Phil Tayler, Buyer & Cellar
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Midsize, Scott Edmiston, My Fair Lady
Elliot Norton Award – Musical Performance by an Actress, Jennifer Ellis, My Fair Lady
2015
IRNE Award – Best Lighting Design, Franklin Meissner, Jr., Sweeney Todd
IRNE Award – Best Ensemble, Midsize, Into the Woods
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress, Midsize (Drama), Paula Plum, Death of a Salesman
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor, Midsize (Drama), Kelby T. Akin, Death of a Salesman
IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical, Spiro Veloudos, Into the Woods
IRNE Award – Best Musical, Into the Woods
IRNE Award – Best Play, Midsize, Death of a Salesman
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Midsize, Nael Nacer, Intimate Apparel
Elliot Norton Award – Best Director, Midsize, Spiro Veloudos, Into the Woods
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Aimee Doherty, Into the Woods
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production, Into the Woods
2014
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Performance by an Actress, Aimee Doherty, On the Town
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Play, John Davin, One Man, Two Guvnors
2013
IRNE Award – Best Musical, Avenue Q
IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Play, Celeste Oliva, Chinglish
IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical, Erica Spyres, Avenue Q
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, David Kravitz, The Mikado
IRNE Award – Best Music Director, Catherine Stornetta, Avenue Q
IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical, Spiro Veloudos, Avenue Q
IRNE Award – Best Puppet Appearance, Avenue Q
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production, Avenue Q
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Ensemble, Avenue Q
2011
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Spiro Veloudos & Courtney O’Connor, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Johnny Lee Davenport, Broke-ology
2010
IRNE Award – Best Play by Midsize Company, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
IRNE Award – Best Director of a Drama, Spiro Veloudos, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor, Jason Powers, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
IRNE Award – Best Ensemble, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
IRNE Award – Best Lighting, Scott Clyve, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2
2009
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Speech & Debate
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Scott Edmiston, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
IRNE Award – Best Musical, Grey Gardens
IRNE Award – Best Music Director, Jonathan Goldberg, Grey Gardens and Kiss Me, Kate
IRNE Award – Best Director (Musical), Spiro Veloudos , Grey Gardens and Kiss Me, Kate
2007
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Miss Witherspoon
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Paula Plum, Miss Witherspoon
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Larry Coen, Miss Witherspoon
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Design, Dewey Dellay, Miss Witherspoon
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Leigh Barrett , Souvenir
IRNE Award – Best Musical, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical, Spiro Veloudos, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Musical Director, Jonathan Goldberg, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical, Caroline DeLima, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Robert Saoud, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Lighting, Scott Clyve, Man of La Mancha
IRNE Award – Best Set Design, Janie E. Howland, Man of La Mancha
2006
Elliot Norton Award – Recipient of the Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence, Spiro Veloudos
IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama, Paula Plum, The Goat Or, Who Is Sylvia?
IRNE Award – Best Solo Performance, Lanna Joffrey, 9 Parts of Desire
IRNE Award – Best Actor in a Musical, 1776, Peter A. Carey
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor/Musical, 1776, Timothy John Smith
2005
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Andrea Ross, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Musical Production, Urinetown
IRNE Award – Best Choreography, Ilyse Robbins, Urinetown
IRNE Award – Best Direction, Spiro Veloudos, Urinetown
2004, IRNE Award – Best Musical Production, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Director of a Musical, Spiro Veloudos, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Music Direction, Jon Goldberg, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Actor in a Musical, Christopher Chew, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Actress in a Musical, Maryann Zschau, A Little Night Music
IRNE Award – Best Costume Design, David Cabral, A Little Night Music, Noises Off
2003
Theatre Hero Award – Spiro Veloudos
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actress, Ellen Colton, Beyond Belief
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor/Musical, Steven Barkheimer, Book of Days
IRNE Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Brian Robinson, When Pigs Fly, Side Show
2002
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Musical Production, Sunday in the Park with George
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Robert Pemberton, Lobby Hero
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Costume Design, Gail Astrid Buckley, Curse of the Bambino
IRNE Award – Outstanding Musical, Sunday in the Park with George
IRNE Award – Outstanding Director, Spiro Veloudos, Sunday in the Park with George
IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress, Maryann Zschau, No Way to Treat a Lady, Sunday in the Park with George
IRNE Award – Outstanding Actor, Jason Schuchman, Lobby Hero
2001
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actor, Phillip Patrone, Side Man
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Bobbie Steinbach, Over The River and Through the Woods
IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress, Bobbie Steinbach, Over The River and Through the Woods
IRNE Award – Outstanding Choreographer, Ilyse Robbins, She Love Me, A… My Name Will Always Be Alice
IRNE Award – Outstanding Supporting Actor, Philip Patrone, Side Man
IRNE Award – Outstanding Supporting Actress, Jacqui Parker, A… My Name Will Always be Alice
2000
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, The Old Settler
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Jacqui Parker, The Old Settler
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Director, Spiro Veloudos, Lost in Yonkers, Assassins, Never the Sinner
IRNE Award – Outstanding Production, The Old Settler
IRNE Award – Outstanding Director, Lois Roach, The Old Settler
IRNE Award – Outstanding Actress, Jacqui Parker, The Old Settler
IRNE Award – Outstanding Actor, Steve McConnell, The Judas Kiss
1999
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Sheila Ferrini , Lost in Yonkers
Best of Boston – Best Theatre Artistic Director, Spiro Veloudos
1997
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Production, Speed-The-Plow
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Designer, Janie Fliegel , Speed-the-Plow/Blithe Spirit
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Actress, Dee Nelson, Blithe Spirit
1995
Elliot Norton Award – Outstanding Designer, Howard Crabtree, Whoop-Dee-Doo
1974
The Lyric Stage founded by Ron Ritchell (pictured) and Polly Hogan.
1976
The fledgling theater company moves to a performance space above the hardware store at 54 Charles Street, producing The Importance of Being Earnest.
1990
After a comprehensive search of the unused spaces in the city of Boston, the Lyric Stage agrees to renovate a former auditorium in the YWCA building in Back Bay.
1991
Renovation of the former YWCA auditorium is complete and the first production in our new home, Red Hot & Cole, is staged.
1995-1996
We win our first Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Designer for the production of Whoop-de-Doo!
1998
Spiro Veloudos is named Producing Artistic Director
2017
Spiro Veloudos celebrates 20 years as Producing Artistic Director
2019
Spiro Veloudos retires after 21 years
Staff & Board
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is led by Executive Director Matt Chapuran and Artistic Director Courtney O’Connor.
Courtney O’Connor and Matt Chapuran
Board of Directors
Ron Sudol | President
Kerry Weiss | Vice President
Glenda Fishman | Treasurer
Sharon Parisi | Clerk
Nina Berk
Katie Burkhart
Julian Cherubini
Richard Daynard
Joe Gimbel
Jo-An Heileman
Tim Holiner
Lee Humphrey
Alice Richmond
Stuart Rose
Anita Springer
Advisory Council
Hannah Taytslin | Co-Chair
Janet Spitz | Co-Chair
Barry Chaiken
Carmen Chan
Troy Coady
Amanda Eckhoff
Susan Gassett
Wendy Gutterson
Michelle Landers
Jo Frances Meyer
Gustavo Pena
Shwetha Ravi
Joe Richard
Dick Rouseau
Emily Stidsen
Ruth Whitney
We are committed to a Board that reflects the diversity of our communities and welcomes your inquiries. If you have a passion for the Lyric Stage, would like to make an investment in our future, and are interested in learning about becoming a member of The Lyric Stage Company of Boston’s Board of Directors, contact the Board President.
ADMINISTRATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / Matt Chapuran
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / Courtney O’Connor
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS / Spiro Veloudos
DIGITAL MARKETING ASSOCIATE / Kate Casner
GENERAL MANAGER / Nora Conley
INTERIM PRODUCTION MANAGER / Aja M Jackson
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER / René Morrissette
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION / Chandra Pieragostini
KIDSTAGE MANAGER / Michele Proude
ASSISTANTS, BOX OFFICE, FRONT OF HOUSE, & STAGE MANAGERS
BOX OFFICE MANAGER / Kat O’Connor
ASSISTANT BOX OFFICE MANAGER / Katherine Shaver
BOX OFFICE & FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGERS / Olivia Eggers, David Kaus, Sara Kenney, Tori Loubert, Jamie Semel, Katherine Shaver
BOX OFFICE & FRONT OF HOUSE ASSISTANTS / Anamaria Alarcón, Sarah Bord, Alyssa Lara, Maeve Power, Lauryn Reid, Linda Shewokis, Allison Valton
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES / Daisy Brackett, Emma Goldman
DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA ASSISTANTS / Marieska Luzada, Michael Rocco, Emma Whiteside
DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANTS / Reggie Osirus, Kelly Sou, Ava Straccia, Julia Thorn, Emma Whiteside
MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATES / Lawrence Nieves, Kandyce Whittingham
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS / Tuck Wunderle, Dillon Tedesco
STAGE MANAGERS / Athena-Gwendolyn Baptiste, Robin Grady*, Rose Mancuso, Diane McLean*, Betsy Pierce, Nerys Powell*, Angela Harrington, L. Arkansas Light*
* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association