The Boston Lyric Opera has announced a casting update for its upcoming production of “Champion.”

The company noted that American mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe will join the cast while theater director Timothy Douglas will helm the work.

Blythe will make her role debut as the welcoming and supportive bar owner Kathy Hagen in “Champion.” She is renowned opera singer and recitalist who has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden, and Paris National Opera in Europe, as well as San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle.

Douglas is a veteran of regional theater with an impressive list of productions and world premiere credits and has explored the work of writers such as August Wilson, Ayad Aktar, Rajiv Joseph, and many others. He has also directed at the Kennedy Center, Cincinnati Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theater, Arena Stage and many others.

“Champion” opens on May 18 and will star Tichina Vaughn, Jesus Garcia, Todd Thomas, Chabrelle Williams, and Nicholas LaGesse. Kwamé Ryan conducts.