Published: November 06, 2009 11:25 pm         

1st of 3 Lyric Theatre performances is slated Tuesday, Wednesday at Enid Symphony Hall

The first of three special performances by Lyric Theatre in Enid will be Tuesday and Wednesday at Enid Symphony Hall.

In a show to be performed exclusively in Enid, Lyric will present “The Wonderful Life of George Bailey — The 1947 radio play adaptation of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’”

This production will feature nationally renowned sound effects artist Fred Newman, a regular on the radio variety show “The Prairie Home Companion” and former collaborator with Jim Henson and the Muppets. Enid Symphony Hall will be transformed into the 1947 radio broadcast studio, WFAL, and the classic holiday story of George Bailey and the residents of Bedford Falls will come to life with the look, sound and feel of a live radio program, complete with music and live commercial breaks.

The performance is part of Enid Symphony Orchestra’s 2009-10 season.

Tickets still are available and are $25 for one performance or $60 for all three Lyric Theatre events. Call Enid Symphony Orchestra at 237-9646.

Continental Resources is underwriting the three Lyric-produced theatrical events. All ticket revenue will help support both Lyric Theatre and Enid Sym-phony Orchestra.

“We regard this as community building,” said Brian Engel, Continental vice president of public affairs.

The other Lyric Theatre performances in Enid will be an encore engagement of Lyric at the Plaza’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy” and celebrated Oklahoma and nationally accredited performing artist Renee Ander-son.

“Driving Miss Daisy” will be performed April 27-28 in Enid, following its full production run at Lyric at the Plaza in Oklahoma City.

“Renee Anderson Alive” will be May 18-19. This entertaining concert event stars Anderson and eight of Oklahoma’s most talented pop musicians.

The series of theatrical offerings builds on the collaborative partnership between Continental Resources, Lyric Theatre and Enid Symphony Orchestra that began at the start of 2009, said Douglas Newell, orchestra artistic director.

“When we first began to renovate the Masonic Temple to turn it into a home for the Enid Symphony, we always saw it as a place that would be filled with a wide variety of cultural events,” said Newell. “Now, thanks to Continental Resources and this wonderful new collaboration with Lyric, that has truly come to pass.”