Steve LeBlanc began writing “The Silenced Lyre,” an original musical based on the classic Russian novel “Eugene Onegin,” over 20 years ago.

His interest in Russian literature was sparked in high school after reading Dostoevsky’s 1880 novel “The Brothers Karamazov.” LeBlanc studied Slavic literature at Colgate University and was deeply moved by Tchaikovsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin,” which he saw while studying abroad in Moscow.

“The idea of a musical version came to mind because it’s such a classic piece of world literature. ... I thought it’s a great story for the stage,” LeBlanc said.

Long-term projects sometimes fade into the ether, but despite life’s demands and distractions, LeBlanc continued to coax his out into the world.

“This project has kind of grown up with me,” the Lebanon-based composer said of his musical’s long journey from inception to production.

“The Silenced Lyre” finally reaches the stage when it opens Thursday night in The Parish Players’ Eclipse Grange Theatre in Thetford.

LeBlanc began adapting Alexander Pushkin’s 1833 novel, a staple of Russian literature, back in 1999. He staged a version of it in 2002 and, in 2011, completed the libretto drawn directly from Puskin’s Russian-language version of the novel. In 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, he dug back in with a renewed resolve to finish it. He put the finishing touches on his self-proclaimed “passion project” in 2022.

Parish Players is a linchpin of Upper Valley theater, but a musical on this scale is a departure. The cast includes 18 local actors and an orchestra of eight musicians.

“Given the dramatic nature of the show, I thought it would be fascinating to have it in such an intimate setting,” LeBlanc said.

“The Silenced Lyre” revolves around Eugene Onegin, a misanthropic aristocrat. In Russian literature, he embodies the “superfluous man,” archetype: a well-to-do but aimless fellow. Onegin moves into a country estate and meets Lenski, a young poet who encapsulates the bohemian lifestyle that Onegin envies. As the story advances, Onegin rejects the affections of Tatyana, a young heiress. This slight sets off a cascade of tragedy among the 19th century Russian aristocracy.

“When I started proposing this project, the war in Ukraine hadn’t begun, so we’ve had a lot of discussions about the current crisis,” LeBlanc said. He invited a community member with ties to both Ukraine and Russia to facilitate conversations about what it means to stage this production now. As part of their experience, theater-goers will be invited to share their solidarity with the Ukrainian people on communal noteboards in the lobby.

When LeBlanc started casting, he needed a male lead who could inhabit the complex character of Eugene Onegin. Lebanon-resident Rory Gawler, a member of the local bluegrass band Reckless Breakfast, landed the role. Though uninitiated in musical theater, Gawler accepted and has immersed himself in the part.

The majority of the cast are seasoned actors, including Memory Apata, who plays Tatyana Larina, the female lead. “What she does from an acting perspective is a real tour de force,” LeBlanc said.

As a stage veteran, Apata coached Gawler. Cast member Dan Deneen gave a presentation on period acting, including how to convincingly portray the speech and mannerisms of a bygone era.

The show is directed by LeBlanc, with musical direction by Carol Cronce. Stage management is by John Hunt, and the set is designed by Cami Buster. Ally Weiner-Sawyer is the choreographer behind the wild dance numbers which, as Gawler describes, reach near-gymnastic levels of athleticism.

“The choreography was definitely my biggest learning curve, but I have some dance and gymnastics experience, so that helped a lot,” Gawler said.

Additionally, LeBlanc has dedicated the production to the late Mary-Alice Klammer, a graphic artist, painter, director and co-founder of the Old Church Community Theater in Bradford, who championed the project in its early stages.

The production promises vivid costumes, with sumptuous 19th century-style ball gowns, waistcoats and an abundance of frilly cravats all by costume designer Martie Betts.

“It’s surreal but exciting to see this project come to fruition,” LeBlanc said.

“The Silenced Lyre” runs through April 22 at the Eclipse Grange Theater. For tickets ($7.50 to $20) and showtimes go to parishplayers.org.

Music, live

This is a big weekend for live music. Here are a few options, in chronological order:

■The Bradford-based Music Matters Concert Series continues Friday night with Mighty Mystic, who moved from Jamaica to Boston at age 10 and still managed to become a reggae purveyor of note.

The doors open at 6 at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, and admission is by donation. All proceeds support the purchase of musical instruments and equipment at Waits River Valley School, which serves children in Corinth and Topsham in grades K-8.

■Also Friday night, the Anonymous Coffeehouse returns to Lebanon’s First Congregational Church with three acts, only one of which is local. Leading off at 7:30, the Upper Valley duo of Jenny Voelker and James Graham play songs out of their separate singer-songwriter catalogs.

Following them will be Grayson Ty, a singer-songwriter based in western Massachusetts, and Rupert Wates, a London-born, Oxford-educated singer-songwriter now based in New York. Admission and baked goods at the coffeehouse are free, though donations are accepted, and a hat is passed for the musicians.

■And if you’d rather rock out a bit, pop singer Ali T and and the alt-rock band Shy Husky join forces to celebrate the release of their recent recordings at 9 on Saturday night in Hanover’s Sawtooth Kitchen on Allen Street. The members of Shy Husky serve as Ali T’s band when she performs with one, so expect some collaboration.

Eric Sutphin is a freelance writer. He lives in Plainfield.

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