Press Releases
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The Light Opera of Portland Presents a World Premiere – We Met in Moscow
Portland, OR - January 17, 2019 The Light Opera of Portland (LOoP), known for its spirited renditions of Gilbert and Sullivan and other classics, this season, explores brand new territory by presenting an original, romantic musical called "We Met in Moscow." The show is based upon events in the life of 91-year-old, long-time Portlander and … Continue reading "The Light Opera of Portland Presents a World Premiere – We Met in Moscow"
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Light Opera of Portland to Present The “Outer Space” Mikado
Portland, Ore – 8/20/18 The Light Opera of Portland (LOoP), in keeping with their custom of “Absurdity done in Complete Sincerity,” will transport Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado to the far-distant planet of Pitiyu between September 20th and 30th, 2018 at the Alpenrose Dairyville Opera House. The Mikado opened on the London stage in 1885 … Continue reading "Light Opera of Portland to Present The “Outer Space” Mikado"
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Light Opera of Portland to Present The Student Prince
Portland, Ore – February 15, 2018 With a production teeming with the emotions of romance and nostalgia, Light Opera of Portland (LOoP) departs from its usual performances of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to present The Student Prince at the Alpenrose Dairyville Opera House between March 16 and 25, 2018. “LOoP is all about light opera, … Continue reading "Light Opera of Portland to Present The Student Prince"
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Portland, Ore – August 28, 2017 Light Opera of Portland takes a dig at class distinctions in Victorian society as it presents another of Gilbert & Sullivan’s delightful light operas next month at the Alpenrose Dairyville Opera House. On September 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and October 1, the company will present Gilbert & Sullivan’s … Continue reading "Light Opera of Portland to promote the joys of reconciliation with Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers"
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Light Opera of Portland to Stage Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance
Portland, Ore – January 3, 2017 Light Opera of Portland (LOoP) announces the staging of Gilbert & Sullivan’s "Pirates of Penzance," a favorite with audiences since its first performance more than 125 years ago. Performances will be held at the Multnomah Arts Center (MAC), 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, for six evenings and three matinees … Continue reading "Light Opera of Portland to Stage Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance"
Press Coverage
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Westside Theatre Reviews
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Community Theater Heroes
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Westside Theatre Reviews
The Outer Space Mikado of Planet Pitiyu Stops By Planet Earth
The LOoP production is literally littered with high points. The tiny orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Linda Smith, is perfectly suited to the scale and tone of the production. Lucy Tait’s costumes are simply marvelous – bright, colorful, flowing, and awash with extraterrestrial style. The set is studded with wildly alien flower and mushroom shapes, lit to create almost an underwater aura. Leads and chorus members have all mastered the fine art of snapping Spanish fans to accentuate their moods and ward off Pitiyu’s relentless humidity. Both men’s and women’s vocal ensembles are in perfect harmony; when the full company sings the power is stunning. That said, the show’s real stars are, well, the stars. As Yum-Yum, Lindsey Lefler’s exquisite soprano sets a high bar, but Sheryl Wood and Mandee Light are not far behind. Tenor Tom Hamann (Nanky-Pu) and baritone Laurence Cox (Pooh-Bah) help to anchor the men’s chorus, and Cox’s unbelievable sneer is a constant delight. The surprise standout for me, however, is Carl Dahlquist (Co-Co) – for both the power of his voice and his amazing comic chops. By Act 2, I was cackling so enthusiastically that I would have been embarrassed had my neighbors not been just as loud.
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Westside Theatre Reviews
LOoP’s The Student Prince – Not G&S, Still Fun
My background in light opera is very, very light – so much so that I didn’t realize that The Student Prince was not a Gilbert and Sullivan work until I saw the program at the Light Opera of Portland (LOoP) production Sunday evening. When I talked to some cast members after the show I understood – Dorothy Donnelly and Sigmund Romberg’s 1924 operetta, billed on the program as “A Spectacular Light Opera,” is exactly the kind of thing that Gilbert and Sullivan so brilliantly skewered in their slyly subversive body of work. It is a real tribute to director Dennis Britten and his cast that I was able to thoroughly enjoy the production despite its markedly aristocratic bent.