Old Lyric Repertory Company Opens Second Production of the Season

Ride alongside the Old Lyric Repertory Company this summer as it comes across a mysterious plant of enormous proportions at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists in the musical Little Shop of Horrors, delivered fresh at the historic Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center St., Logan.

Opening night is Thursday, June 23.

A Lyric favorite, Little Shop of Horrors, is this year’s comedy-horror musical. The main character, Seymour Krelborn, hits a streak of luck when he discovers a strange and interesting plant that takes him on an exciting and dangerous adventure.

Appearing as Seymour is first-time OLRC company member Stefan Espinosa, with Vanessa Ballam as Audrey, the object of his attention. Long-time OLRC favorite W. Lee Baily appears as Mr. Mushnik. Jeff Allen Pierce is seen as Orin (the dentist) and Justine Ivie is featured as the voice of the plant, Audrey II. Pierce and Ivie appear through the courtesy of the Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The OLRC production of Little Shop of Horrors runs June 23, 24, 25, July 6, 15, 23, 28, Aug. 3 and 5. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. with select matinee performances at 2 p.m. (See the schedule online for details). The popular musical is the second production of the 2011 OLRC season to open, joining The 39 Steps which opened June 16.

The 39 Steps is an adaptation of the classic Hitchcock spy story and a Cache Valley premiere. Four actors portray dozens of characters in this classic murder mystery.

Led by artistic director Dennis Hassan, the OLRC is a professional theater program based in the Department of Theatre Arts in the Caine College of the Arts at Utah State.

“We are looking forward to the 2011 season because each production was selected for its excitement level and appeal for all crowds,” said Hassan.

The 2011 Old Lyric Repertory Company season also features See How They Run and Amadeus. Plays run June 16-Aug. 6.

See How They Run, written by Philip King, is British farce at its best, complete with slamming doors, mistaken identities and, of course, missing trousers.

Fitting the theme of the Caine College of the Arts Summer Music Institute featuring works by Mozart, The Old Lyric Repertory Company presents Amadeus, written by Peter Shaffer.

Tickets for OLRC productions can be purchased by visiting the Caine College of the Arts Box Office at Utah State University in room 139-B of the Chase Fine Arts Center open 10 a.m.­-5 p.m., Monday through Friday; by calling 435-797-8022 or online. Tickets are also available at the Caine Lyric Theatre from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and an hour prior to curtain on show nights. Individual ticket prices range from $18-$25 for adults, $15-$21 for seniors and USU faculty and staff and $12-$18 for USU students and youth.

For more information on the OLRC’s 2011 season and the complete performance schedule, visit the Caine College of the Arts website.

Related links:

• USU’s Old Lyric Repertory Company
• USU Theatre Arts Department
• Caine College of the Arts Box Office
• USU Caine College of the Arts

Writer: Rachelle Nielson, Caine College of the Arts Production Services, 435-797-9203, rachelle.nielson@usu.edu

Contact: Denise Albiston, Caine College of the Arts Production Services, 435-797-1500, denise.albiston@usu.edu