Lyric Stage just turned 15. To celebrate, the musical theater company held an elegant anniversary dinner at the top of Williams Square in La Cima Club. Lyric Stage chair Fran Cassels welcomed guests and introduced the company's founding producer Steven Jones. Theater director Cheryl Denson made a few comments before performances by Lois Hart, Joshua Doss and Catherine Carpenter Cox. Gary Okeson accompanied them on piano. Following the performances, board advisor Bill Hart gave a few reflections before the evening concluded.

The dinner paid tribute to Ralph and Joy Ellis, generous benefactors of the company. And the event also honored the memory of Lillie Hinde, a tireless supporter of the company who died earlier this year. Her sister, Catherine Reamer, attended, as did State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, Kathy and Clint Howard, Diann and Joe Contestabile and many other founding members and Lyric Stage League members.  

Lyric begins its 2008-09 season with West Side Story, which will run from Sept. 5 to 14 in Carpenter Performance Hall at the Irving Arts Center. The performance will feature a full orchestra and the original Jerome Robbins choreography.
Visit www.lyricstage.org. or call 972-252-2787.