See Jane Sing!

The multitalented Jane Lynch brings her voice to Lyric

Two seasons ago at Lyric’s star-studded 60th anniversary gala, the audience was captivated by the evening’s host — Jane Lynch, the uproarious, Emmy and Golden-Globe-winning star of Glee and Hollywood Game Night. Many people have been wondering how Lyric could entice Jane back to Chicago. The answer? See Jane Sing, her cabaret-style comedy show that will arrive at the Civic Opera House for performances June 17 – 18.

Following her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in Annie in 2013, New York’s haven for cabaret, 54 Below, contacted her to perform at the venue. Jane quickly put an act together, performed with a three-piece instrumental trio, and what eventually became See Jane Sing was born.

Who knew that the same performer who played ruthless cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on Glee could sing up a storm in all sorts of music? With her onstage partners — Kate Flannery (The Office) and Tim Davis (former vocal arranger for Glee) — Jane will treat audiences to some terrific close harmony. You might also hear her rapping to Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” or, with Flannery, letting go in a Barry Sisters-style version of “Far from the Home I Love” from Fiddler on the Roof.  

Other repertoire that has been part of See Jane Sing includes songs from A Mighty Wind (the hilarious 2003 Christopher Guest “mockumentary” in which Jane appeared), hits from the ’40s and ’50s, and songs Jane sang with her family at the kitchen table growing up. She has a particular affection for a number by the 1960s pop group, Flying Machine. 

In her recent interview with Google Talks, Jane confesses that she doesn’t like performing alone — she has “no desire to just stand there and go, ‘Here’s a story from my childhood.’” With that in mind, she’ll perform with a five-piece band, the Tony Guerrero Quintet, and onstage she’ll collaborate with two remarkable artists: Kate Flannery, a terrific singer with whom she’s been performing for years, and Tim Davis, whom she describes as “a wonderful crooner with a great sense of humor.”  

Lyric audiences will have the chance to see Jane’s buoyant, hilarious, fast-moving cabaret show in four performances, on the main stage. Seating for these special performances will be cabaret-style, with the audience seated on the stage, facing out to view the iconic art-deco Ardis Krainik Theatre at Lyric Opera.

Jane grew up in the Chicago area and she and Flannery both began their careers at The Second City so they have great affection for Chicago, which means their Lyric homecoming shows will be particularly special.