Shelby's Social Diary

Houston Grand Opera's Patrick Summers sweeps Lynn Wyatt off her feet at SweetCharity

Photo by David Farias
Photo by David Farias
Photo by David Farias

They truly saved the best for last at Interfaith CarePartners' Sweet Charity benefit dinner. After various speakers, a video and a live auction, it was, at last, time to celebrate the night's premiere honoree — Lynn Wyatt. And what a delicious tribute it was, delivered from the heart by Houston Grand Opera artistic and music director Patrick Summers.

The Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom was filled with fans of La Wyatt, who applauded Summers' praise that included such statements as, "When you count Lynn as a friend, you truly know what a friend is . . . Lynn Wyatt is hard-wired for excellence . . . There is a mysterious charisma that influences her physical beauty." Little could could have been more accurate than when he said that Lynn exemplifies the word "grace."

Applause, applause for Lynn Wyatt, who was surrounded at her table by family including husband Oscar Wyatt, sons Steve Wyatt and Brad Wyatt and close friends Vance Muse, Annie Owen and Summers.

Patrick Summers: "Lynn Wyatt is hard-wired for excellence."

The evening marked the 25th anniversary of the agency that oversees a network of denomination-based volunteer caregivers as well as provides free educational and support services for family caregivers.

Interfaith CarePartners co-founder Earl Shelp introduced the night's other honoree, Reliant. The event was expected to raise close to $400,000, which, according to board chair Steve Hinchman, represents 25 percent of the agency's annual budget.

The dinner event was chaired by Pat Breen, Karen Jones and Cynthia Petrello.

Notables in the mix included HGO managing director Perryn Leech, Alley Theatre artistic director Gregory Boyd and managing director Dean Gladden, Tony Petrello, Dan Breen, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, Linda and Dr. Walter McReynolds, Celina Hellmund, Molly and Jim Crownover, Al Lasher, Windi and David Grimes, Richard Alderman and Lynn Mathre.

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taking center stage

Stage adaptation of iconic Black movie Jason's Lyric to debut in Houston

Courtesy of Jason's Lyric

Most of the movie's cast will appear in the play.

Next year, Houston writer/producer/director/promoter Je’Caryous Johnson will be bringing another beloved Black movie to the live stage.

Jason’s Lyric will join New Jack City and Set It Off in the lineup of ‘90s Black-movie favorites that Johnson has adapted for the stage. The 1994 made-in-Houston drama stars Allen Payne and a pre-Will Smith Jada Pinkett as young lovers trying to maintain a relationship as conflicts and obstacles keep getting in the way.

Jason’s Lyric Live will go on a nationwide, 22-city tour, premiering right here in H-Town on Thursday, February 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“Houston is my home, and bringing Jason’s Lyric Live to life here first is my way of paying homage to the city and its people who inspired this story,” Johnson said in a statement. “This is more than a play; it’s a love letter to the community.”

Payne will reprise his role as Jason, with actress/model Eva Marcille stepping in Pinkett’s role as Lyric. Naughty by Nature rapper Treach, who played Lyric’s criminal big brother Alonzo in the movie, will also return to the role for the stage production. Tyrin Turner (Menace II Society), K. Michelle (Love & Hip Hop), and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Welcome Back, Kotter) will round out the cast.

"Jason’s Lyric is one of the films that defined my career as an actor,” Payne said. “To bring it to life on stage for audiences who loved the movie — and a new generation experiencing it for the first time — is an incredible honor."

Marcille is also psyched for the show, taking on the role that Pinkett memorably brought to life. "Lyric is a character who embodies resilience and hope, and I’m honored to bring her story to life on stage,” Marcille said.

Tickets will go on sale this Friday, December 13, at 10 am. For a full list of dates and ticket information, visit the website.