Getting It Done

Houston Grand Opera pulls off a balanced budget in hard art times

The Houston Grand Opera's new production of The Barber of Seville sold at 96percent of capacity.
Photo by Felix Sanchez
Two additional performances were added to La Traviata, which sold more than ahalf-million dollars in single tickets alone.
Photo by Felix Sanchez
The Clever Wife: A Chinese Folktale by Carol Warwick toured the area extensivelythis season.

In times of economic instability, slashed budgets and financial shortfalls are all too common. The fine arts are oftentimes the hardest hit, so it's refreshing to hear that some organizations provide consistent entertainment while meeting the bottom line.

Such is the case with the Houston Grand Opera: After a successful season, HGO expects to end its fiscal year on July 31 with a balanced budget and more than $15 million raised for HGO's five-year comprehensive campaign.

This marks the third consecutive year that the HGO Board's Annual General Meeting anticipated budget adherence.

Leech credited HGO's board, donors and supporters for the cycle of outstanding productions, which bring increased funds, which bring more outstanding productions.

"Artistic quality coupled with financial responsibility is unquestionably the way forward for Houston Grand Opera as we seek to grow the company in the future," Perryn Leech, HGO managing director, said in a statement.

Leech credits HGO's board, donors and supporters for a cycle of outstanding productions, which bring increased funds, which bring more outstanding productions.

During the 2011-2012 season, HGO increased its subscriber base by 3.5 percent and enjoyed frequent sellouts during a six-title run that included Il Trovatore, La Traviataand Don Carlos.

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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.