Music Theater Works

LIGHT OPERA WORKS is a resident professional not-for-profit music theater in Evanston, Illinois, founded in 1980. The company's mission is to produce musical theater from a variety of world traditions. In its 25 seasons, LIGHT OPERA WORKS has presented 74 Mainstage productions at the 1,000-seat Cahn Auditorium.

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The company produces operettas from around the world, such as Sweethearts, H.M.S. Pinafore, Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow, and classic American musicals like Carnival!, Fiddler on the Roof, Man of La Mancha and The Sound of Music, as well as new works like Ragtime, Soup du Jour and No Way to Treat a Lady.

In addition, LIGHT OPERA WORKS offers innovative productions of crossover works, such as Kismet, Candide, The Golden Apple and Lady in the Dark.

All productions are in English, with foreign works done in carefully edited modern translations. Maximum scholarship is employed to preserve the original vocal and orchestral material, as well as the spirit of the original text whenever possible. All Mainstage productions feature a full orchestra with the original orchestrations.

In 1998, LIGHT OPERA WORKS inaugurated the 250-seat Second Stage for the production of more intimate and innovative shows, including the first English translation of Jacques Offenbach's The Isle of Tulipitan, new works like Soup du Jour and No Way to Treat a Lady, and significant revivals such as Darling of the Day.

Audiences know that at LIGHT OPERA WORKS they will experience musical theater, which is often unavailable on the stages of commercial theaters and opera houses, in beautiful, colorful modern productions with professional artists and full orchestra.

The company has been noted repeatedly on "Ten Best" lists by Chicago media, and received the 2002 Evanston Mayor's Award for the Arts.

Pioneer Press named Carnival! and The Merry Widow as stand-out productions of 2005, and Susie McMonagle (Carnival!) and Roger Mueller (Darling of the Day) as best performers.

The Chicago Sun-Times named Candide as one of Chicago's 2004 memorable productions. Pioneer Press named LIGHT OPERA WORKS soprano Marie Svejda-Groh a top area leading lady for her performances in Sweethearts and No Way to Treat a Lady.

Copley News placed Ragtime on its "Top 15 shows" list. Gay Chicago Magazine awarded Fiddler on the Roof three prestigious After Dark Awards, including Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Sound Design and Outstanding Performance for John Payonk in the lead role.

An active participant in the Chicago arts community, LIGHT OPERA WORKS is a member of the Illinois Arts Alliance, League of Chicago Theatres, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Opera America, North Shore Convention and Visitors' Bureau, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, and is a founding member of the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance. The company has collaborated on artistic and educational projects with the Union League Club Boys and Girls Club, Chicago Theatre Company, Pegasus Players, Evanston District 65 schools, Theatre Building Chicago and other organizations.