Devon launches new partnership with Lyric Theater
By Brianna Bailey Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 03:07 PM Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Devon Energy has announced a 5-year partnership with the Lyric Theater to bring the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” to Oklahoma City beginning in 2011.

“What Devon has done for this city just can’t be expressed in words,” Paula Stover said, Lyric executive director.

The energy company has agreed to underwrite a holiday production of the play beginning next year.

Devon has had a long relationship with Lyric. The energy company helped fund a $10-million capital campaign Lyric launched in 2004 to renovate and endow three facilities on NW 16th Street in the Plaza District. Devon also partners with the theater company to bring touring interactive, musical theater productions to public schoolchildren across the state.

The latest partnership will make bringing the kids to see “A Christmas Carol” at Lyric a lasting holiday tradition for Oklahoma City families, Devon Executive Chairman Larry Nichols said at press conference Tuesday.

“It’s a 5-year partnership, but I’m sure it will last much longer,” Nichols said.

The production will feature elaborate set designs that will transform the theater into a Victorian London landscape, complete with artificial snow and a massive clock tower that will rise from the center of the stage, Lyric artistic director Michael Baron said.

“Oklahoma City will come to know the joy and power of this story, which will become a holiday tradition for many,” Baron said.

Baron has previously overseen the production of “A Christmas Carol” at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theater.

Local actor Jonathan Beck Reed has been tapped to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the Lyric production.

sweet!

I love it.

From Newsok:

Devon bringing ‘Christmas Carol' to Oklahoma City

A partnership between Lyric Theatre and Devon Energy Corp. will bring “A Christmas Carol” to Oklahoma City in December for five years, beginning in 2011.

FROM STAFF REPORTS
Published: December 22, 2010

Lyric Theatre is excited to announce the holiday season classic, "A Christmas Carol", will be performed each December beginning in 2011, thanks to a $200,000 contribution from Devon Energy. On stage for the announcement at Lyric Plaza Theatre are Larry Nichols, Devon executive chairman; Paula Stover, Lyric executive director; Michael Baron, Lyric artistic director, and Randy Compton, Lyric president-elect. Announcement was made Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.

“Devon prides itself not just on investing in the community, but in creating meaningful partnerships like this one,” Devon Executive Chairman Larry Nichols said. “We are thrilled to be working with the Lyric to build a family tradition at Christmastime for Oklahoma City.”

Lyric's production of Charles Dickens' classic novel will be adapted by artistic director Michael Baron, who currently is directing the play at Ford's Theater in Washington.

Baron said he is delighted to bring a new production to Lyric.

“Young audiences and adults alike will be motivated by the lessons of love and charity found in Dickens' story,” he said. “With Devon Energy's generous support, this classic story comes to life using the very best talent Oklahoma and the American theater have to offer.

“With this production, Lyric Theatre and Devon Energy's principles of optimism and community celebration are extended throughout the holiday season and for many generations to come.”

http://newsok.com/lyric-devon-bringing-christmas-carol-to-oklahoma-city/article/3525717#ixzz18qfmO6dQ

:congrats: Wow what a fantastic corporate citizen ! I love Devon and everything they have done for our city and on behalf of the citizens of our community, I say THANK YOU.