MISSION STATEMENT

“ The LaGrange Lyric Theater Company seeks to enrich the cultural lives of diverse audiences throughout the Southeast by presenting vocal musical performances of the highest caliber.”

VISION STATEMENT

To achieve this mission, we will provide:
- Quality performances of new and existing works for audiences of all ages.
- Exceptional fine arts education experiences for children.
- Professional performance opportunities for artists in the Southeast.

HISTORY

LaGrange Lyric Theater Company was founded in 1997 because of the interest in the West Georgia area for dinner theater and children’s opera programming. The company has had two other names, The Opera & Musical Theater of West Georgia and LaGrange Opera Theater. The name change in 2004 reflected the broadened programming of the company and a broadening of its mission and vision.

LaGrange Lyric has evolved from its original two productions of a dinner theater and a children’s opera program per year to include an additional musical theater, opera or operetta production per season. Since 1997 over 7,000 elementary students have enjoyed productions of THE MAGIC FLUTE and SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE through the company’s Opera in the Schools outreach. LaGrange Lyric, through its opera and operetta performances, has provided opportunities for youngsters and adults alike to appreciate and bridge their age differences by working together on stage in Lyric productions of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, and THE GONDOLIERS. LaGrange Lyric has also had a successful record of summer musical theater productions including A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM and THE FANTASTICKS. Additionally, the LaGrange Lyric has developed a popular dinner theater series with programs of music highlighting 1940’s radio favorites, the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim.

LaGrange Lyric has partnered with other area arts organizations to produce collaborative performances. The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra and LaGrange Lyric worked together to produce concerts with operatic excerpts from PORGY AND BESS and LA BOHEME. LaGrange Lyric has partnered with the LaGrange Hydrangea Festival in performances of SWEET BETSY FROM PIKE and LA MÉLOMANIE, a program of French and American opera excerpts commemorating the rededication of the city’s LaFayette statue. In May, 2005 the company will perform a program of Cole Porter’s music as part of the LaGrange Affair on the Square.