Demos expects to remain with the Lyric through 2008, "and may also stay on through part of 2009 in a supervisory capacity."

He's off to direct and produce full time in the commercial theatre. His company, Demos Bizar Entertainment, is already involved with the national tour of The Drowsy Chaperone; Off-Broadway's Make Me a Song; and Vanities, the musical, which is aiming for a Broadway bow in the 2008-09 season.

Under Demos, Lyric Theatre has seen "unprecedented growth," the theatre announced. Demos and executive director Paula Stover "transitioned the company from a summer theatre residing at the Oklahoma City University campus into a year-round theatre company with a children's academy, administrative and production offices, rehearsal spaces and two new performance venues."

Lyric Theatre has enjoyed national attention under Demos, most recently with a production of Oklahoma! that starred Broadway's Kelli O'Hara.

Lyric Theatre is now seeking a year-round artistic director for the 45-year-old professional theatre. The artistic director works in collaboration with the executive director to produce four summer musicals in the 2,500-seat Civic Center Music Hall and several musicals, plays and student academy shows in the new, Lyric-owned 278 seat Plaza Theatre. For more information visit www.lyrictheatreokc.com.