The Lyric Theater

The Lyric Theater. Home of Tupelo Community Theater. , The Lyric Theatre was built in 1912 by Mr. R. F. Goodlett. Originally named The Comus, it hosted live vaudeville shows. In the 1930's it became a part of the Malco chain of movie houses and the name was changed to the Lyric Theatre. Its sturdy brick walls made the Lyric one of the few buildings to escape the fury of the 1936 tornado. A popular local legend tells that Elvis "stole" his first kiss in the balcony of the Lyric. , Sixteen visionary leaders founded Tupelo Community Theatre in the spring of 1969 when they formed an organization to "develop, promote, teach and stimulate interest in the dramatic arts." Those charter board members were Marilyn Bank, Sandy Ford, Martha and Rowland Geddie, Martha and Bill Hitch, Jack Kellum, Linda Kinsey, Ruth and Gus Liveakos, Mary Alice McAlister, Margaret Anne Murphey, Jerry Napier, Jean Pettis, Edith Thomas, and Charlotte Westbrook. , In its early years TCT performed in venues all over the city and in a converted church building on East Main Street. In 1984, the Lyric had outlived its usefulness as a movie theatre and TCT purchased the historic theatre and restored it to be its permanent home. , Thank you to the thousands of volunteers and patrons who have contributed to the success of Tupelo Community Theatre.