Power of Compromise: Lyric Theatre’s Detours Leading to Auspicious Rebirth
A former hardware store manager’s dream to restore a Birmingham theatrical landmark is about to be realized. But not before years of hard financial times, budget shifts and architectural compromises.
“In 1993, the Waters family donated the Lyric to us for $10, with the understanding that we would do something with it, not just tear it down,” said Birmingham Landmarks Executive Director Brant Beene last week. “It was not like this castle-in-the sky dream. It was a dream that this was ever going to get done.
“That’s where it stood for at least 10 years. They finally raised enough money to hire Westlake Reed Leskosky (a firm with national credentials in theater renovation) to do an architectural plan — no construction drawings, but here’s what we can do, and here’s what it might cost.”
Thus began the quest to bring the Lyric back to life and fulfill Whitmire’s wishes. In January, the Lyric Theatre will host a show for the first time since the early 1980s.
Most striking are the classical bas-relief sculptures along the walls, in front of balconies and above blue backgrounds in the opera boxes. Even the original exit signs have been restored, though they are partially obscured by new lighted exit signs that meet modern code requirements. EverGreene Architectural Arts, the same company that worked on the Alabama Theatre, as well as the $100 million Kings Theatre restoration in Brooklyn, N.Y., was hired to undertake the detailed work.
First opened on January 14, 1914, the Lyric hosted cartoonist, inventor and gadget-maker Rube Goldberg and several vaudeville acts. Appropriately, 102 years to the day later, the Lyric will present a vaudeville revival for a three-night run, as a reminder of the Lyric’s first glory days. Hosted by Bobby Horton, Dolores Hydock and Sharrif Simmons, the Grand Opening shows will feature performances by Three on a String and the Birmingham Sunlights.
Read more about the project and enjoy a wonderful photo gallery on Arts BHAM. The article is written by Michael Huebner, photogrpahy by Nisha Kashyap
ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.
Learn more about historic theatres on our website at historictheatres.org
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