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Saving Stories

Saving Stories: The unlikely resurrection of Lexington's Lyric Theatre

By Alan Lytle
Published October 31, 2025 at 7:00 AM EDT
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The Lyric Theatre opened in 1948, closed in 1963 and was reopened in 2010. This current iteration celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 28, 2025
Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center
The Lyric Theatre opened in 1948, closed in 1963 and was reopened in 2010. This current iteration celebrated its 15th anniversary on October 28, 2025

October 28, the Lyric Theatre in Lexington's East End neighborhood celebrated 15 years of rebirth. The current iteration of the arts and cultural center was officially reopened in 2010. In a 2015 UK Nunn Center oral history interview local activist Tom Tolliver talks about the effort to revitalize the Lyric, which had been shuttered since 1963; a result of the end of city-wide desegregation of public spaces. At first Tolliver was not on board with the idea and he describes what actions changed his mind.

The Lyric Theatre closed in 1963 as a result of desegregation of all public spaces. For over 40 years it sat empty and fell into disrepair. With significant support from the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government the Lyric was renovated and reopened on October 28, 2010
Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center
The Lyric Theatre closed in 1963 as a result of desegregation of all public spaces. For over 40 years it sat empty and fell into disrepair. With significant support from the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government the Lyric was renovated and reopened on October 28, 2010
Mayor Jim Newberry and a host of dignitaries cut the ribbon on the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center on October 28, 2010
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
Mayor Jim Newberry and a host of dignitaries cut the ribbon on the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center on October 28, 2010

Show links:

https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7kpr7msd0d

Tom Tolliver discusses his time in Lexington and his personal commitment to the East End neighborhood. He describes his time as a journalist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, but also touches on his work as a community activist. He shares his beliefs on the revitalization of the East End and the Lyric Theater as a part of that revitalization.

Saving Stories
Alan Lytle
See stories by Alan Lytle