See Jane Sing at Lyric Opera

Jane Lynch’s Merry Cabaret Act on Lyric’s Stage

Sure, the show is called “See Jane Sing,” but this is no solo songfest or grade-school primer, clever title aside. Jane Lynch, the comedian-actress-chanteuse extraordinaire, plays well with others and will bring her merrily mischievous band of musical co-conspirators to Lyric for four shows June 17-18.  

Lyric’s Ken Pigott Stage will be transformed for the occasion, with cabaret seating & table service, chandeliers overhead, and the beautifully lit Ardis Krainik Theatre as backdrop. Jane previously rocked the full 3,500-seat house as MC of Lyric’s 60th Anniversary Gala in 2014; this time she’ll be facing upstage and playing to intimate audiences of 400+ for each show. It’s a great chance to catch this star of stage and screens of all sizes, up close and personal.

Jane will be joined by her longtime pal Kate Flannery (Meredith/The Office), Tim Davis, who arranged the music on the hit TV show Glee (which is how most of us know Jane), and the Tony Guererro Quintet.  “It’s kind of a love fest,” Jane told the Los Angeles Times before performances there last year. They have genuine fun making music together, and it shows.

As their respective schedules permit, Jane & co. take their gleeful cross-pollinated mix of musical genres on the road, incorporating classic jazz, swing, and show tunes with new spins on TV theme music ‘60s pop and rock, and even rap. You’ll recognize a lot of what you’re hearing and laugh at the new twists familiar tunes may take. And of course, they crack wise, too, with Jane riffing in her own inimitable comedic style and Kate as “the goofball in the background.” The current tour runs through June 29, and zigzags all over the U.S.

She spent years in NYC and now lives and works in LA, but Jane hails from south-suburban Dolton, and cut her theatrical and comedic teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf, and other local venues, so playing Chicago is a happy homecoming. (Jane and Kate first met in 1992 working on Annoyance Theater’s retro-ironic The Real Live Brady Bunch, when Kate understudied Jane as Carol.) 

If you’ve seen Jane as Sue Sylvester on Glee, or in the mockumentaries Best In Show and A Mighty Wind, you know how good she is. In addition to hosting Hollywood Game Night on NBC, Jane’s recent film credits include A.C.O.D, The Three Stooges, Wreck-It Ralph, Julie & Julia, Shrek Forever After, The Post Grad Survival Guide, Paul, and Brownie Masters. Her latest TV project, Angel From Hell, debuted last fall on CBS. 

Are you ready for a whole new experience at Lyric? Don’t miss the hometown performances of SEE JANE SING June 17-18!