Two productions are of particular interest to theatre lovers: Tony, Emmy and Olivier Award winner Rob Ashford will return to the Lyric after his acclaimed Carousel to stage a new-to-Chicago production of Carmen; and the Lyric will present My Fair Lady as the fifth installment in its American Musical Initiative.
Georges Bizet's Carmen will play 11 performances Feb. 11-March 25, 2017. The classic opera will be presented in French with projected English texts. Ashford will direct and choreograph the production, which will also feature set design by David Rockwell and lighting design by Donald Holder. Michael Black is the chorus master.
In the title role will be Ekaterina Gubanova (Feb. 11-March 6) and Anita Rachvelishvili (March 16-25) with Joseph Calleja (Feb. 11-March 6) and Brandon Jovanovich (March 16-25) as Don José. The role of Micaela will be played by Eleanora Buratto, and Escamillo will be played by Christian Van Horn.
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's award-winning My Fair Lady will play 25 performances April 28-May 21, 2017. Based on George Bernard Shaw's mythology-inspired Pygmalion, this beloved American musical will be directed by Robert Carsen with set design by Tim Hatley, costume design by Anthony Powell, lighting design by Adam Silverman and choreography by Lynne Page. The chorus master is Michael Black, and the dramaturg is Ian Burton. Casting will be announced at a later date.
