2 minute read
Inspirations
by Donna Ison | photos courtesy of The Lyric Theatre
INSPIRATIONS SPONSORED BY LG&E
When it comes to Lexington’s rich history,
The Lyric Theatre plays a starring role. Opening in 1948, the original Lyric Theatre was built at a cost of $250,000 and provided air-conditioned entertainment, a luxury at the time. However, unlike other white-owned theatres of the day, it provided open seating for all patrons. According to Lyric Executive Director Whit Whitaker, the theatre served as “a hub of entertainment where African Americans could come to see entertainers who looked like us—with open seating so we were not forced to sit isolated in a balcony while white people, who normally occupied the main floor, enjoyed our Black entertainers” After closing in 1963, the space lay dormant for nearly 50 years. Then, in October of 2010, The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center opened its doors with a renewed mission “to preserve, promote, present, and celebrate diverse cultures through artistic presentations of the highest quality, educational programming and outreach, film, and opportunities for community inclusion.” For Black performers, the stage holds a special significance. Meredith Frankie Crutcher, a local actor/director/teacher said, “Growing up as a native Lexingtonian, any reference I would hear in relation to The Lyric Theatre spoke of its rich history as a thriving locale where Lexington's Black community was able to enjoy arts and entertainment.” Throughout the years, The Lyric Theatre has hosted some of the nation’s most iconic artists, including comedians Redd Foxx and “Moms” Mabley; musicians Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, George Clinton Ike and Tina Turner, BB King (and later his daughter Claudette King); and poets and authors Frank X Walker and Dr. Haki Madhubuti.
Crutcher had the privilege of gracing the historic stage as Beneatha in Message Theatre's production of A Raisin in the Sun. She stated, “It would be almost a decade postrenovation that I got the opportunity to perform on The Lyric Theatre stage, but the significance of finally getting a chance to become a part of the Lyric's lively history was never lost on me. Being able to grace the stage of the historic Lyric Theatre felt like I was touching the past and the future at the same time.”
As for the future of the Lyric, Whitaker said, “The significance of the Lyric going forward is to continue to be an open bridge to connect the different cultural communities, while paying homage to our historic past and continuing to place special cultural emphasis on African American culture, so the African American community and our historic cultural icons of the past can continue to pave the way to a future where our artists and our community will not be forgotten or left behind again.” •
