Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento’s 2024 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore, stage direction by Debbie Baad and musical direction by Anne-Marie Endres, is awarded the 2024 BroadwayWorld Sacramento Award for “Best Production of an Opera”.

“…sincere thanks are due to … Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento for keeping this treasured art form alive in our community.” Capital Region Performance Gallery. August 2023

“This is the best Gilbert and Sullivan Sacramento has seen in a long while”. Sacramento News & Review. August 2019

 

Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento (LOTS) has become the Sacramento Valley’s premier theatrical company for producing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. LOTS draws its cast from highly talented all-volunteer performers from throughout the capital region who share in the company’s passion for presenting G&S works to those who have had a lifelong passion for the material as well as introducing new generations to these timeless classics.

he Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento (LOTS) was founded in 1982 by Mike and Debbie Baad and Dolores Allen. Drawing on their considerable theatre experience, including roles with the Sacramento Opera and Davis Comic Opera, the Baad family assembled a core group of St. Mary's Church Choir members to start the St. Mary's Players. "H.M.S. Pinafore," the St. Mary's Players first production in 1982, received rave reviews. "H.M.S. Pinafore" was followed in 1983 by "The Mikado" and in 1984 by "The Pirates of Penzance." By this time, the St. Mary's Players, drawing on many talented performers from throughout the Sacramento area, had established itself with the theatre-going public, and its productions were attracting larger and larger audiences. In its fourth year, the St. Mary's Players became The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento and moved to a new "home" at the Coloma Community Center. In 1988 they moved to their present location at the 24th Street Theater.

The primary goals of LOTS have remained unchanged since its founding:

  1. Present the comic humor of W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.

  2. Provide, via an open audition process, an opportunity for local performers to bring their talents to Sacramento audiences.

  3. Promote the performing arts in the Sacramento region.

In addition, LOTS has performed at the Woodland Opera House, Theater El Dorado in Placerville, at the Vet's Memorial Theatre in Davis, and in Roseville. In previous years, LOTS has also presented works other than the Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire, including "Man of La Mancha," and Stephen Sondheim's "Side by Side." LOTS is a member of the Sacramento Area Regional Theater Alliance (SARTA) and a founding member of the League of Sacramento Theatres. Mike and Debbie Baad continue to guide the development of LOTS as artistic directors of the organization.