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03/01/2017 11:01 PMMadison Lyric Stage will return to venues in Madison for its 2017 season, which includes the Noel Coward comedy Blithe Spirit in April, Verdi’s grand opera Otello in June, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar in July.
The performing arts organization also announced that it is now officially a public charity with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Contributions donated to Madison Lyric Stage are fully tax-deductible. Madison Lyric Stage is also now eligible to apply for government and foundation grants, which will further broaden its access to resources and strengthen its ability to serve the shoreline.
“We are thrilled to present this exciting season back in our hometown of Madison, where the company was founded,” said Marc Deaton, artistic director of Madison Lyric Stage. “Additionally, becoming an official 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization is an important milestone for us. For a small performing arts organization like ours, this is a key benchmark in our development.”
For the first time, Madison Lyric Stage also will be offering money-saving subscriptions for the three-show season. While individual tickets will be priced at $35, season ticket bundles are currently available for $90 at madisonlyricstage.org.
The 2017 season, which will include evening and matinée performances, features:
Blithe Spirit: April 21-30
Noel Coward’s comedy is a wonderful farce, including a seance, a ghost, and much laughter. Marc Deaton directs this production starring AJ Lincoln, Jennifer Munro, Maureen Gallagher, and Allison Waggener. Blithe Spirit will be presented in a “magically transformed intimate space” at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society in Madison.
Otello: June 16-25 with Orchestra
Based on Shakespeare’s Othello, Verdi’s epic masterpiece is seldom attempted by regional companies. This is also a landmark production for Madison Lyric Stage as the company will use an orchestra for the first time. Tenor Marc Deaton stars as Otello, the foreign Emperor, with Lara Ryan as Desdemona, and Mark Womack as Jago. Marc Verzatt directs and Glen Cortese conducts. Otello will be performed at North Madison Congregational Church.
Jesus Christ Superstar:
July 19-30
Madison Lyric Stage continues its Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice songbook with Jesus Christ Superstar. This rock opera takes the audience through the riveting and emotional last days of Jesus Christ. Marc Deaton stages this incredibly vital and electrifying rock opera with a full stage band, starring John Johmann as Judas, Peter Bailey as Pilate, and Marc Deaton as Jesus. JCS will be presented in a “transformed, audience-immersive space” at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Society in Madison, “in a frigidly air-conditioned environment. Bring your sweaters in July!” Deaton says.
“We’ve chosen venues in Madison where we feel we can create immersive spaces that will have the intimacy for which we are known,” says Deaton. “Our goal always is to provide professional level entertainment where the audience can be up-close and personal with our performers.”
Founded by a group of professional performers, Madison Lyric Stage is an arts collective for the shoreline of Connecticut. Its mission is to present professional-quality entertainment from the worlds of opera, musical theater and drama. Past productions include: A Little Night Music, Evita, Macbeth, Peter Grimes, Salome, The Glass Menagerie, and others.
For more information about Madison Lyric Stage, visit madisonlyricstage.org.