After five seasons at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square, Atlanta Lyric Theatre will have a new home starting this fall.
Unable to strike a lease agreement with management of the restored 1935 movie theater, the musicals-loving Lyric has announced that it will present its 2013-14 season, its 34th, at Cobb Civic Center’s Jennie T. Anderson Theatre.
Lyric artistic director and general manager Brandt Blocker went public several weeks ago with unspecific plans to move but hinted that the company was committed to “a continued relationship with the restaurateurs and retailers on the Marietta Square.” The 600-seat Anderson Theatre is less than two miles from the historic square.
This week, the Lyric added months for its previously announced 2013-14 shows, with the final run dates still to be released: Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (August), Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls” (October), Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” (January 2014), “Annie the Musical” (April 2014) and Monty Python’s “Spamalot” (June 2014).
Additionally, the company will bring back Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” for the 2013 holidays.
The Lyric’s final productions at the Strand are “Ragtime” (through April 28) and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (June 7-23).
In a statement, Blocker again lamented the departure, praised the Anderson Theatre as “first-class venue for Broadway-quality productions” and added that the Lyric and the city of Marietta are working on a shuttle service between the square an its new home.
Subscriptions and single tickets will go on sale to the public June 3. Information: www.atlantalyrictheatre.com.
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