The Living End

Lyric Stage, Dallas County’s only locally produced professional musical theater company, presents the world premiere of The Living End, four one act musicals compiled by Lyric Stage Founding Producer Steven Jones.

Anne Kessler and Libby Saines wrote the book and lyrics to Tony Award nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz ‘s music for WOMAN WITH POCKETBOOK. Doris Platt arrives at the pearly gates, pocketbook in hand. She took it everywhere with her in life…why should this be any different? Unfortunately for Doris, worldly goods are a no-no in heaven. Something’s gotta give. But will that something be Doris Platt? Deborah Brown is Doris, Jerry Russell is her husband, Dave and Ada Lynn is her long suffering mother Helen.

Composer Jeff Blumenkrantz again teamed with lyricist Libby Saines for PRECIOUS LITTLE JEWEL. Adapted from Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” PRECIOUS LITTLE JEWEL finds young Louise in turn-of-the-century New Orleans as she learns of her husband’s untimely death in a train crash. How will she go on without him? What’s left for her, now that she can no longer be his “precious little jewel?” Mary Gilbreath plays Louise and T.A. Taylor is her husband, Albert.

Brad Alexander composed the music, Helen Chayefsky wrote the lyrics and they collaborated on the book for THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF. In this updated musical adaptation of the O. Henry story, a small-time crook finds that there may indeed be something worse than owing money to the mob. It doesn’t take long for the hapless criminal to realize that kidnapping a spoiled, recalcitrant ten-year-old may not be the best solution to his dilemma. Jerry Russell plays the crook with Jordan Graff as the kid.

Andy Monroe created the delightful THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JOE JEFFERSON BENJAMIN BLOW. In twelve minutes, we see Joe’s entire life, from birth to death. Watch Joe try to make sense of it all as his life goes hurtling by in this zany, heartwarming musical. Brian Hathaway is Joe.