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. 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.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, 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.
