Watertown Lyric Theater

04/07/2026

04/06/2026

During National Volunteer Month, we're giving a shout out to our amazing and indepensible volunteers.

From backstage, to production teams, in the pit, in the classroom, or on the board - we appreciate all you do.

The people painting, sewing, ushering, organizing, cleaning, problem-solving, and somehow keeping the whole thing from falling apart deserve a lot more credit than they get.

04/06/2026

On Thursday, we sat down for our first table read of Forever Plaid, and let’s just say... the 1950s called, and they are thrilled to be back. There’s something magical about hearing these classic four-part harmonies come to life for the first time. From the quirky banter to the legendary "Lady of Spain" number, this show is a giant, melodic hug.

We are so excited to bring the story of Jinx, Frankie, Smudge, and Sparky to the stage. It’s a tribute to the "Good Old Days" and a reminder that great music—and great friendship—is truly eternal.

03/30/2026

⭐ CAST ANNOUNCEMENT: Meet the Plaids! ⭐

The search is over! We are absolutely thrilled to introduce the sensational quartet bringing the iconic harmonies of the 1950s to life in Watertown Lyric Theater's production of Forever Plaid! 🎶

Please join us in a massive round of applause for:
👔 JINX – Ben Smith
👔 SPARKY – Tyler Tamblin
👔 FRANKIE – Jeremiah Rollins
👔 SMUDGE – Shea Zellweger

📣 A Note of Gratitude: We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who came out to audition. Casting this show was an incredibly difficult task because of the immense wealth of talent we have right here in our area. We are constantly blown away by the performers in this community, and we are so grateful you shared your voices with us!

Stay tuned for ticket information—you won’t want to miss these outstanding performers! 🎙️

03/28/2026

Happy World Theatre Day!

We'd love to know the first show you ever saw that made you fall in love with theater?

03/25/2026

Excited to dive into the world of doo-wop close harmony singing for your upcoming Forever Plaid audition? Here's a few tips on how to listen, lock and blend your sound.

The Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" is a great blend of classic doo-wop and the Four Freshmen-style jazz harmony featured in Forever Plaid.

Here's a great exercise to try:

First listen - just for pleasure;
Second listen — follow only the lowest voice;
Third listen — follow only one of the inner harmony parts;
Fourth listen — notice how the vowels match across all parts.
You'll be amazed at how the vocal magic is made!

We can't wait to hear you at auditions!

📅 Date/Time: Wednesday, March 25th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
📍 Location: The Strand, 136 Franklin St., Watertown, NY.
🎤 Seeking: 4 strong male singers to fill the roles of Sparky, Jinx, Smudge, and Frankie.

To audition:
🎶 Please prepare 16–32 measures of a doo-wop song.
📱 Bring your own marked sheet music or backing track to the audition.
📧 Video auditions are also accepted at [email protected].

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupSince I Don't Have You · The SkylinersSince I Don't Have You℗ 2013 The Bicycle Music CompanyReleased on: 2013-01-...

03/24/2026

These songs are tried and true and sure to make everyone swoon (or at least tap along with their toes)!

Come on out and audition to be one of THE PLAIDS and you could find yourself a frontman to one of the funniest and most nostalgic shows ever written!

Check out the audition event for more info:

👉https://facebook.com/events/s/auditions-forever-plaid/915345454804683/

03/23/2026

Ten years have passed since Parker Leikham left us, and yet his voice, his kindness, his joy and his spirit are with us every day. Parker wasn’t just a member of our cast—he was part of our family. And no one expressed that sense of family more beautifully than Parker himself.

We think often about the message he once shared with the cast of Spamalot, where he wrote about how being part of the show meant “being part of a family… that accepted me with such open arms.” He told his castmates that coming to rehearsal, talking with them, laughing with them, and simply being together was sometimes “the only thing that kept me going through the day.” That was Parker—open, honest, deeply appreciative, and full of gratitude for the people around him.

His words said so much about the kind of person he was.

He was thankful.
He was loving.
He was observant and sincere.
And he never took kindness for granted.

During Company, Parker brought that same joy and sincerity in every instance. And although he never got the chance to step onstage for opening night, his spirit filled every rehearsal, every conversation, every shared moment. He shaped our community not by the roles he played, but by the kindness he showed.

As we mark ten years without him, we acknowlege not just the pain of losing Parker, but honor the incredible gift of having known him. His words continue to remind us what theater family truly means.

Parker, thank you—for your joy, your honesty, your generosity, and the love you shared so freely.

You are remembered. You are missed. And you are forever a part of our Lyric family. 🧁

03/21/2026

"And once an actor really learns how to listen, something shifts. They stop pushing. They stop pretending quite so hard. They stop trying to manufacture a moment and start actually living inside one."

Great acting doesn’t start with memorization or a big emotional choice. It starts with listening.

03/19/2026

Come help us transport audiences with this homage to the close-harmony "guy groups" of the 1950s.

When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950s nostalgia trip back to a time of all metal busses, when the nuns took a school full of girls to see the Beatles, and a song could make you fall in love (or at least faint).

Auditions for "Forever Plaid" will be held:

📅 Date/Time: Wednesday, March 25th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
📍 Location: The Strand, 136 Franklin St., Watertown, NY.
🎤 Seeking: 4 strong male singers to fill the roles of Sparky, Jinx, Smudge, and Frankie.

To audition:

🎶 Please prepare 16–32 measures of a doo-wop song.
📱 Bring your own marked sheet music or backing track to the audition.
📧 Video auditions are also accepted at [email protected].