Inside Lyric Rep's Sensational Summer Lineup

LOGAN, Utah — The Lyric Repertory Company’s 2025 summer season begins this June, packed with powerful musicals, classic comedies, thrilling mysteries and thought-provoking dramas. With performances at Utah State University and special events located on the Utah State University campus, this season promises something for everyone.

BRIGHT STAR

Morgan Theatre

June 13, 14 (matinee & evening), 19, 25

July 3, 9, 18, 23, 26

Based on the miraculous true story of an infant found in a suitcase, “Bright Star” is a moving and delightful musical written by Edie Brickell and Steve Martin. With an incredible bluegrass Americana score, the story takes place in a small Appalachian town and begins with a soldier returning home from WWII. Grief, loss and healing are central themes of the story, with a heavy dose of comedy and beautiful, soulful singing throughout. “It's got a lot of comedy in it, but it's also a very heartwarming story about love and loss, and it's very uplifting,” said USU Theatre Arts Department Head Richie Call. “The music is fantastic. It has bluegrass, country and Appalachian music. It's just so much fun to listen to.”

The production will be directed by Eric Van Tielen, a Utah State alumnus and previous Lyric company member. “Eric is an alumnus from Utah State who went on to have a great career working on Broadway and in national tours. He is now an assistant professor of musical theater at Wayne State University in Detroit,” Call said. “We were really excited to get him back here.”

The production pairs a celebrated Broadway title with a cast of exceptional talent.

“This show was a hit on Broadway and continues to find large audiences around the country. We are thrilled to have a top-notch cast of singers, actors and musicians to tell this remarkable story,” Van Tielen said. “On a personal note, it means so much to me to come home to Lyric Rep to direct one of my favorite shows with such talented artists.”

SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE

Morgan Theatre

June 20, 21 (matinee & evening), 26

July 2, 12, 17, 19 (matinee), 25

“Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” finds the legendary sleuth donning the deerstalker hat one last time to battle his archrival, Professor Moriarty. In setting a trap for his nemesis, he must rely on the only woman who has outsmarted him — the famous opera singer Miss Irene Adler. But whose side is Adler really on, as she has her own reasons for joining Sherlock’s game? With his trusted friend Dr. Watson at his side, Holmes must solve not only the crime, but the riddle of a woman — and try not to die in the process.

“This is a play by Steven Dietz that is based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle, which is based on the original works by Arthur Conan Doyle,” Call said. “It combines several elements of the original Sherlock Holmes novels into one story. It's everything you'd expect from a Sherlock Holmes mystery — a lot of adventure and a lot of suspense.”

The cast features a number of Lyric favorites and alumni and will be directed by USU Theatre Professor Paul Mitri.

“Stefan Espinosa is playing Sherlock, Lance Rasmussen is playing Dr. Watson, and we're excited to have them back,” Call said. “It is shaping up to be a great show with a really interesting design.”

HOME, I'M DARLING

Black Box Theatre

June 27, 28 (matinee & evening)

July 4 (matinee), 8, 11, 15, 26 (matinee)Laura Wade’s “Home, I’m Darling” is a dark romantic comedy that explores what happens when love, nostalgia and feminist ideals collide. Judy and Johnny are the perfect couple — living in a perfect 1950s dream of cocktails and chocolate chiffon cake. But nostalgia isn’t what it used to be, and cracks in their ideal life begin to show.

“Home, I’m Darling” takes a witty and sharp look at modern relationships and asks: What does it take to live happily ever after?

This production features a strong mix of returning artists and fresh faces and will be directed by Amanda Dawson, assistant professor and head of the BFA Theatre Education Program at USU.

“We've got Leslie Brott back in our company this summer, as well as Lance Rasmussen, Gordon Dunn and Sydney Fulmer,” Call said. “It's a nice mixture of faculty members, Lyric Rep alumni, and current students and recent grads that make up that cast.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Morgan Theatre

July 4, 5 (matinee & evening), 10, 12 (matinee), 16, 19, 22, 24

Set in 1898, “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a dazzling celebration of wit, romance and satire — bringing Wilde’s timeless comedy to life in a vivid theatrical experience. A witty exploration of contradictions, the play invites audiences into a world where fantasy and reality intertwine, Victorian ideals meet the dawn of modern thinking, and lighthearted deception reveals deeper truths.

Follow the escapades of Jack and Algernon, who each adopt false identities — "Earnest" — to escape their responsibilities and pursue love. Their clever schemes lead to a charming series of misunderstandings, mistaken identities and sharp social critiques — all delivered with Wilde’s trademark humor and elegance. Defined by Wilde himself as “a trivial comedy for serious people,” offering both laughter and reflection, set against a beautifully crafted Victorian backdrop.

“The final play in our main stage season is ‘The Importance of Being Earnest,’ which most people have either seen or are certainly aware of,” Call said. “Beyond it being Oscar Wilde, it's just a really funny show.”

This production features a visually rich design, complemented by a cast stacked with talent.“The design for that is going to be spectacular. The cast is just tremendous,” Call said. “Leslie Brott and Stefan Espinoza are in the show as well as Colton Iverson, another alum that we haven't had back to Lyric since he graduated over 10 years ago.”

Vanessa Ballam, assistant professor and head of musical theater at USU, will direct the production.

“Join us for an evening of timeless wit, enchanting characters, opulent scenery, gorgeous costumes and sparkling satire that will captivate both the mind and the heart,” Ballam said. “This is a must-see production that promises to entertain, inspire and remind us of the humor in life’s contradictions.”

Additional Events

VOSCO CALL SPOTLIGHT: Episode 07

Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall

July 7

For one night only, Richie Call will interview the remarkable Wendi Hassan, executive director of the Cache Valley Center for the Arts. Presented in a live talk show format, the evening will also feature performances by talented singers and musicians from the Lyric Rep 2025 company. (Movie Equivalent Rating: PG)

CHRISTMAS IN MONTPELIER

Morgan Theatre

July 31 and Aug. 1

Aug. 2 (matinee & evening)

Celebrate Christmas in July and August with this heartwarming one-man show. Originally premiered in December as a fundraiser for the Lyric Rep, this extended summer remount offers another chance to experience the performance for those who missed it. Based on the book by beloved historian F. Ross Peterson, the adaptation by Mary Heers stars Richie Call as Young Ross.

TOURS WITH RICHIE

Morgan Theatre Lobby

May 27, June 17, July 15

Explore the behind-the-scenes magic of the summer season with guided tours led by Richie Call. Visitors will get a close-up look at the working spaces where productions come to life, observe company members in action, and gain insight into the creative process through a Q&A.

LYRIC REP THEATER CAMP

This season, Lyric Rep is offering a theater camp for students in grades K-12. Designed to develop theatrical skills and foster creativity, the camp will guide participants in creating an original piece of theater inspired by themes from Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure. Each devised performance will serve as a special “curtain raiser” before the Saturday Lyric Rep performance at the end of the camp week.

The camp will run daily from 9 a.m. to noon and will take place in the Utah State University Theatre Department facilities.

Two sessions will be offered this summer:

July 8-12 | Grades 6-8 and 9-12

July 12 Camp Performance (7:30 p.m.)

July 15-19 | Grades K-2 and 3-5

July 19 Camp Performance (1 p.m.)

Each session will be divided into two groups according to grade level.

Camp registration is $150, which includes the weeklong half-day session, healthy snacks, a camp T-shirt and participation in the camp performance.

For more information about the 2025 Lyric Rep season, visit the website.