Since its founding 50 years ago, the Lyceum Theatre has become a treasure of central Missouri. The site that offers professional theater in the national historic landmark of Arrow Rock began as a small theater housed in an abandoned Baptist church.
It grew to seat 408 people with a newly constructed building in the mid-1990s, according to the Lyceum’s website.
On Saturday, during an exceptionally hot day, the Lyceum celebrated its 50th birthday with a parade, barbecue, music and a play portraying its history.
While festivities happened throughout the day, the 4 p.m. parade officially started the celebration and featured local residents and actors who came to revisit the Lyceum.
Tempe and Bruce McGlaughlin, both actors, came to Arrow Rock to perform at the Lyceum in 1971 in the play “Match Maker”. It was the Lyceum’s 10th season. The two returned many years later to make Arrow Rock their home.
“It went from a tiny little church into a professional theater that seats 408,” Tempe McGlaughlin said. “It started with college students, and now it is actors from New York, L.A. and Chicago which also has gone from a learning theater to a more professional theater.”
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