Broadway Sacramento

Broadway Sacramento, established as the Sacramento Light Opera Association and later known as California Musical Theatre, is the oldest professional performing arts organization in Sacramento and the largest nonprofit musical theatre company in California. The organization's history dates back to a fortuitous collaboration that began in a parking lot, combining local enthusiasm for the arts with Broadway expertise, sound business practices, and theatrical artistry. ===History=== The concept of Broadway Sacramento originated with the innovation of St. John Terrell, who in 1949 created a new form of entertainment by setting up a circus tent in New Jersey and producing musical plays. This "Music Circus" combined the informality of the circus with the traditional theatre experience, offering a unique setting where everyone had a good seat. The idea quickly gained popularity on the Eastern Seaboard. Russell Lewis and Howard Young, who had produced shows on Broadway and national tours, were inspired by Terrell's concept. They were contacted by Eleanor McClatchy, president of The Sacramento Bee and a significant supporter of local theatre, who was determined to bring professional musical theatre to Sacramento. In 1951, Lewis and Young Productions launched Broadway At Music Circus, the first professional musical theatre-in-the-round west of the Mississippi and only the fourth in the country, in the parking lot of the Civic Repertory Theater. It was an immediate success and became a staple summer activity. In 1953, the organization was formally incorporated as the Sacramento Light Opera Association (SLOA). Under the guidance of Lewis and Young, Broadway At Music Circus established Sacramento as a notable location for theatrical productions, attracting professional actors nationwide by maintaining high production values. The venue became a breeding ground for talent, with many actors using it as a stepping stone to Broadway, film, and television. Over the years, Broadway At Music Circus has presented over 400 productions of approximately 150 different musicals. It has become a beloved tradition in Sacramento, with generations of families attending the performances. In 2003, the organization moved from the canvas tent to the Wells Fargo Pavilion, an indoor venue that maintained the tradition of theatre-in-the-round while offering improved audience comfort. It remains the largest continually operating musical theatre-in-the-round in the country. ===Broadway Sacramento Milestones=== In 1989, Broadway Sacramento introduced the Broadway Series, later renamed Broadway On Tour, as a winter counterpart to the summer Music Circus. This series presents touring productions of newer works and major revivals. The organization has been recognized for its contributions to diversity in American theatre and for its educational programming. The late founders, Lewis and Young, were succeeded by Leland Ball, who expanded the organization's reach, and today, Broadway Sacramento is led by President & CEO Richard Lewis, son of founder Russell Lewis, along with Producing Artistic Director, COO Scott Klier, and Artistic Consultant Glenn Casale. Broadway Sacramento continues to be a cornerstone of the local arts community, providing the region with high-quality musical theatre productions and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Northern California. ==References== *Broadway Sacramento official website *The Sacramento Bee *National Alliance for Musical Theatre *Actors' Equity Association *The Broadway League *Theatre Development Fund *Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department *Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame [[Category:Performing arts organizations]] [[Category:Musical theatre companies]] [[Category:Culture of Sacramento, California]]