Lyric Rep's Summer 2023 Season Opens June 16

Logan, UTAH — The Lyric Repertory Company is producing four mainstage shows and multiple special events this summer, including the interACT play reading series and the Vosco Call Spotlight featuring three local celebrities: Ross Peterson (June 26), Mary Heers (July 11), and Julie Hollist Terrill (July 19).

The theater company was founded in 1967 by W. Vosco Call and has produced musicals, dramas, mysteries, farces, comedies and classics to the delight of local audience members and visitors from around the country. The Lyric Rep brings in professional actors and guest artists to work side by side with advanced theater students from USU’s Caine College of the Arts.

“The Lyric Rep has something for everyone this summer,” Richie Call, artistic director of the company, said. “From Shakespeare to hip-hop and everything in between.”

Opening the 2023 season is The Marvelous Wonderettes by Roger Bean. Set at Springfield High School in 1958, the Marvelous Wonderettes are performing at senior prom. Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy will serenade you with classic ’50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” and “Mr. Sandman.” In Act II, the Wonderettes reunite to perform at their 10-year reunion. The ladies will keep you smiling in this musical trip down memory lane June 16, 17, 22, 28, July 6, 14, 17, and 22 in the historic Caine Lyric Theatre. This show is rated PG.

Next up is Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The mythical world of Illyria comes to life in this ballroom, big-band version of the comedy. When everyone seems more in love with the idea of being in love, it takes two twins and some cross-dressing to make people see what is right in front of them. Full of dancing and music, be ready to be swept off your feet. Join us in USU’s Morgan Theatre on June 23, 24, 29, July 5, 15, and 21. This show is rated PG.

Kicking off the first weekend of July is Break It Down, written and performed by Lyric Rep fan favorite Herb Newsome. Newsome returns to tell the story of the early days of hip-hop through DJing, emceeing, b-boying and graffiti. Set in the Bronx at a time when urban decay and gang culture inspired people to create their own form of expression, Newsome plays 10 characters using music, dance, video, graffiti and rhyming to take you on a journey to the past to discover how each hip-hop element came into existence. Catch Newsome breakdancing in USU’s Black Box Theatre June 30, July 1, 7, 13 and 22. This show is rated PG 13.

The last of the main stage shows, One Man, Two Guvnors, opens July 7 in the Caine Lyric Theatre. Set in Brighton, England, in 1963, Francis Henshall has been fired from a skiffle band and is now in search of work. Somehow Francis finds himself employed by two enemy gangsters. He tries his best to serve both bosses while keeping them away from each other, but with confusion mounting, hiding from the police, and the distractions of sex, food and money, how long can Francis keep his guvnors apart in this fast-paced farce? Find out for yourself July 7, 8, 10, 15, and 20. This show is rated PG 13.

For the third year in a row, Lyric Rep presents interACT, a play reading series performed in the Black Box Theatre. July 3 takes us on Leila Hernandez’s journey I Was Supposed to be Meghan Markle (But My Anxiety Disorder Got in the Way), and guests on July 12 will be treated to two short plays, Thank You For Knowing Me and The Red Claw by M.K. Wessel

The 5th Annual Vosco Call Spotlight, hosted by Richie Call and featuring Luke Shepherd and the Spotlight Band, takes the format of a live talk show. The evening of music, games, stories and laughs will shine the “spotlight” on beloved community members who make Cache Valley a wonderful place.

“I’m very excited for this new format for the spotlight,” Call said. “Our guests really need no introduction, but audience members who attend will learn fascinating facts about their individual stories.”

Tickets for the 2023 season are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, go online to lyricrep.org.