Gary’s West Side Theatre Guild is bringing another installment of its music and dance extravaganza to the stage.
“Lyrics: Evolution! Part 2” is set for a run that extends from Wednesday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 18.
The December engagement will mark the 18th edition of the long-running “Lyrics” series.
Broadway-style material, along with gospel and pop fare, will be featured in the new production, according to director Mark Spencer.
The musical revue coincides with the guild’s 20th season.
“I would say the theme is a salute to our 20 years,” Spencer, the guild’s artistic director, said. “We’re taking some of our more memorable moments — our more memorable pieces — and saluting our 20th anniversary.
“We want to reflect; we want a very reflective sentimental feeling, a feeling of appreciation to be around after 20 years. We’re recounting and recreating some of these very special moments for us.”
Revisiting past “Lyrics” presentations affords the opportunity to give a nod to a legendary Gary native.
“We’re recreating a tribute to Michael Jackson with a number called ‘Scream,’ ” said Spencer, alluding to the title of a 1995 hit song that Jackson recorded with sister Janet. “We’ll be doing a dance number dedicated to both he and his sister.”
Continuing the vibrant tone, Spencer and company will roll out a touch of Broadway.
“We’re going to be doing ‘Everybody Rejoice’ from ‘The Wiz,’ ” noted the director, alluding to a joyous tune that also is known as “A Brand New Day.”
Aside from the nod to the Great White Way, there will be gospel numbers, plus a distinctive, verbal theatrical art form.
“We’ll be doing a number of spoken-word pieces, including a Langston Hughes piece entitled ‘Mother to Son,’ ” Spencer said.
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Rose Simmons of Gary oversees spoken-word pieces as one of the team directors for the new “Lyrics” production.
Simmons cites the individualistic nature of spoken-word performances.
“Everyone has their own story, and everyone has their own special way of telling it,” Simmons said.
She is eagerly anticipating the string of new “Lyrics” shows that are being presented by a community troupe celebrating two decades of existence.
“That’s an accomplishment within itself,” Simmons said. “I’m very excited. The West Side Theatre Guild is very important to the city of Gary.”
Simmons views the guild as a vehicle for youthful artistic expression.
Besides Simmons, the other team directors are Altovise Ferguson, Keith Nelson and Markeysha Coleman.
According to a press release from the guild, ‘Lyrics: Evolution! Part 2″ will “cover current events and topics through song, dance and spoken word.”
Over the years, the guild has not only presented locally-produced theatrical productions, but also has brought in celebrities such as rhythm-and-blues legend Ray Charles, film director Spike Lee and Pulitzer Prize-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
“It’s just a good feeling to know that our community has stood behind us and encouraged us to remain productive and functional for these last 20 years,” Spencer, a Gary resident, said.
The December performances of “Lyrics” take place at Gary’s West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St.
“We’re doing it in our intimate 120-seat theater,” said Spencer, noting the Door E entrance is used for the venue.
Spencer said the venue is informally known as the Gerry Street theater because it is parallel to Gerry Street.
Its stage will welcome a little more than 65 performers for the upcoming “Lyrics” shows.
Most are students from the Gary Community School Corporation.
Also performing will be alumni from “our theatre guild family,” according to Spencer.
The choreographer is Asia Dickens, who was a Luvabulls cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls basketball team from 2010 to 2013.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
If you go
‘Lyrics: Evolution! Part 2’
Where: West Side Theatre at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry St., Gary; Door E
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, through Saturday, Dec. 10, and Wednesday, Dec. 14, through Saturday, Dec. 17; also 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 18
Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Information: (219) 390-9784, www.eventbrite.com
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