Opening Night Spotlight on Lyric Theatre President Louise Dorais

As this newspaper hits the stands, somewhere in this city the nerves and excitement of a well known Montreal theatrical troupe are at their peak, for opening night has arrived! I’m speaking of The Lyric Theatre, and while they have been entertaining audiences annually since 1965, the opening night jitters and excitement are a continued necessity until the energy is released through the art to its hungry awaiting audience.

Through the meanderings of economic highs and lows, performance endures, but it’s not as easy as it sounds, readers. Arts funding is scarce in these times, and fundraising is just short of a nightmare. Of all things, one would think that a non-professional troupe, especially one involving approximately 50 performers, crew, et al per production would be the first to fall by the wayside. In the immortal words of George and Ira Gershwin, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”.

The Lyric Theatre originally gained its reputation as a West Island troupe. Over the years they’ve tackled Broadway favourites such as Kiss Me Kate, Funny Girl, Oliver and Barnum. For many years, they rented the large proscenium stage at the Centaur, and arrived at a point where the company’s membership hails from throughout the city, as does its audience.

It’s no secret that artists don’t necessarily make the best business managers, something to do with that right brain thing I am sure. And that’s where TMR resident Louise Dorais comes into play. A Leacross Avenue resident since 1993, Louise joined the Lyric Theatre as a performer in 1987 and has sat intermittently on its Board of Directors since 1989. In 2005, Louise left her successful career as VP of Marketing for a video distribution company to take the reigns as President of the Board.

I met up with Louise at D&D’s for some java to find out more about the TMR connection to this enduring troupe, and I was graced by the company of a woman with success written all over her. Warm, petite and toned, with a controlled and intelligent energy, Louise Dorais is the kind of person you want on your team. With her solid business savvy, Louise now leads the Board through sound decisions that have ensured its survival. She upholds the prudency without compromise policy which included the decision to form the Lyric Theatre Singers in 1990, allowing for an annual large scale production but one that isn’t in treachery due to less financial burden, including things like massive royalty fees of a Broadway play (which can be up to16,000.00). Cash sponsorship may not be aplenty, but thanks to Borden Ladner Gervais and BMO Harris Private Banking, this year’s production has the wings it needs to fly.

And the support doesn’t end there. The Lyric Theatre Singers show is deep in the heart of production three months before curtain, and this is where family support is of the essence. Juggling work and home life is difficult enough; factor in the involvement of a production and that`s about it...no more room. Louise counts the internal support as key to sanity and success, and she speaks of her own family, husband Miles Flood and her two teenage stepsons, with enormous appreciation for their extraordinary support. Who says one can`t balance the impossible? It`s clear that Louise Dorais has strategically designed a life of creativity and enjoyment, one where she contributes her smarts, but continues to learn and grow by what she gets back (and she did give me a list, that organized one, of the skills her involvement has developed, but it`s a little long...)

This year`s production is entitled Strike up the Band, a tribute to George Gershwin as well as a melee of more contemporary showpieces, and includes a four piece band backing up the company of 40 choreographed singers. The show opens tonight (June 11) with three consecutive evening shows and one matinee at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall (7141 Sherbrooke West). Tickets can be obtained by calling 514-790-1245. You also have the chance to win two complimentary tickets through this column! All you have to do is be the first to email the correct answer to this question:

What Gershwin tune was the opening theme of the Woody Allen flick, Manhattan? Email your answer to lolalivesforever@hotmail.com . The winner will be informed via email. Dim the lights, and on with the show!