Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento

The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento (LOTS) is a prominent performing arts organization based in Sacramento, California, with a history spanning more than three decades. Founded in 1982 by Mike and Debbie Baad alongside Dolores Allen, LOTS has its roots in the St. Mary's Church Choir, where the Baads and Allen gathered a core group of members to form the St. Mary's Players. Their inaugural production, "H.M.S. Pinafore," premiered in 1982 to critical acclaim, setting the stage for subsequent successes with "The Pirates of Penzance" in 1983 and "The Mikado" in 1984. As the St. Mary's Players gained recognition and drew in a growing number of talented performers from the Sacramento region, they evolved into The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento by their fourth year. The organization then relocated to the Coloma Community Center and eventually settled at their current venue, the 24th Street Theater, in 1989. LOTS is dedicated to presenting the comic operas of the renowned Victorian-era duo W. S. Gilbert, a librettist, and Arthur Sullivan, a composer. The partnership between Gilbert and Sullivan produced 15 operas between 1871 and 1896, which were originally staged by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. These works are celebrated for their witty humor and remain a staple in the repertoire of LOTS. The company's mission has remained consistent since its inception: to showcase the humor of Gilbert and Sullivan, provide opportunities for local talent through an open audition process, and support the performing arts within the Sacramento community. While Gilbert and Sullivan's operas are at the core of LOTS's productions, the company has also ventured into other musical theater works, including "Man of La Mancha" and Stephen Sondheim's "Side by Side" and "Into the Woods." In addition to its mainstage performances at the 24th Street Theater, LOTS has brought its productions to various venues across the region, including the Woodland Opera House, Theater El Dorado in Placerville, the Vet's Memorial Theatre in Davis, and in Roseville. The organization is a member of the Sacramento Area Regional Theater Alliance (SARTA) and a founding member of the League of Sacramento Theatres. Under the artistic direction of its founders, Mike and Debbie Baad, The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento continues to be a vibrant part of the Sacramento arts community, contributing to the cultural landscape with its engaging and entertaining productions.