Tupelo in Lee County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
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.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1912.
Location. 34° 15.501′ N, 88° 42.332′ W. Marker is in Tupelo, Mississippi, in Lee County. Marker is on North Broadway Street just north of Court Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level directly on the southeast corner of the subject theater building, facing east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 North Broadway Street, Tupelo MS 38804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lyric Theatre (here, next to this marker); Tupelo Confederate Soldiers Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); The Younger Cabin / Confederate Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Tupelo Woman's Christian Temperance Union (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee County, Mississippi War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lee County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Tupelo Hardware (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church (USA) (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tupelo.
Also see . . . History of the Lyric. Tupelo Community Theatre website entry (Submitted on December 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.