Charleston Light Opera Guild Inc

We are a locally-produced volunteer musical theater company serving the Charleston and surrounding r Oklahoma! The first production was Godspell.

Since 1949 the Charleston Light Opera Guild has been a leader in providing quality light opera and Broadway musical entertainment for West Virginia while providing an outlet for nurturing the talents of singers, actors, dancers, musicians and behind the scenes volunteers. Leonard Stocker, the moving force in founding the Guild, had come to Charleston in 1948 after fifteen years as a professional s

inger and actor. A voice teacher at Charleston’s Mason College of Music, he was joined by music teachers Margaret Hope Samms, Annie Laurie Leonard and Margaret Palmer in founding the not for profit organization. The initial offering was Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore which played to a standing room only audience at the Charleston High School Auditorium. Throughout the 1950s the group continued to produce popular operettas. Stocker, the first artistic director of the group, was succeeded by Lila Belle Brooks. She also led an acclaimed spinoff group, the Guildaires, who performed across West Virginia. By 1955, Tom Murphy was credited for staging Guild productions. In 1957 the Guild weathered its first financial crisis when a production of Where’s Charlie at the Municipal Auditorium failed to attract anticipated crowds. The group decided to reproduce the royalty free HMS Pinafore. Shows were presented at the United Fuel Gas Company Auditorium and played to capacity audiences. With the emergence of the Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre, Tom Murphy, who had become artistic director in 1959, reasoned that it was time for a change. in 1960 introduced the era of the Broadway musical. By 1964 Doug Martin had become the Guild’s director. In the early days the Guild did not have a permanent home and rehearsed in area churches. In 1966 the group purchased an East End Jefferson Street Building that became its workshop where rehearsals were held, costumes were stored and sets were built. In the late 1960s the Guild endured a second crisis when the roof collapsed on the workshop. The board decided to only produce one musical that season. Some 1970 summer offerings at Pipestem Resort State Park under returning director Murphy helped offset bills. With the 1970 production of Showboat at the Civic Center, the Guild was back on its feet. By 1977, and with a production of Shenandoah, the Guild began using volunteer orchestra members. Summer theatre had been explored as early as 1959 with a production of Trial by Jury at the County Courthouse. In the summer of 1970 Your Own Thing was mounted at Watt Powell Park as an experiment. By 1975 summer theatre became a reality under director Tom Murphy and choreographer Nina Denton Pasinetti. The mission of summer theatre was to give performance and behind the scenes opportunities to older teens and young adults. Summer theatre continued thru the early 90s at the East End Workshop where two musicals were produced each summer. In 1983 Nina Denton Pasinetti took the reins as artistic director. During the winter of 1986 the group produced The Wiz, the first of several African-American musicals. A summer revival of A Chorus Line was presented at the Culture Center in 1991. With the purchase of the Weekley Memorial Methodist Church in 1995, the Guild took another giant step forward. Using significant portions of its own funds, together with many generous contributions, the group turned the church into a workshop and theatre. The space was inaugurated in 1996 with summer productions of Cinderella and Company. Summer and smaller musicals continue to be produced at the Charleston Light Opera Guild Theatre. The Guild began its Golden Anniversary year with a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Three of the cast members in that show, Louis Husson, Betty Agsten Hamilton and Shirley Annand, were Guild charter members. Many former performers and volunteers returned for a 3-day anniversary celebration. Following the 1999 Guild Summer Theatre revival of A Chorus Line, Mrs. Alex Schoenbaum began sponsoring Guild summer theatre productions and through a trust she has ensured that summer theatre, especially with youth and dance, continue with a sponsorship by the Alex and Betty Schoenbaum Family Foundation. Other area sponsors have followed, including Ed and Susan Maier, with productions as the Clay Center and Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center (formerly Civic Center). In the fall of 2003, with a 62 member cast and The Music Man, the Guild became the first community group to mount a production at the new Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences West Virginia. Since 2003 the Clay Center has co-produced numerous musicals with CLOG and school day performances in that venue continue to educate and inspire area students. In the summer of 2002 and 2003 the Guild collaborated with Kanawha Players and Charleston Stage Company to present the Charleston Theatre Festival at the Guild Theatre. Multiple West Virginia theatre companies presented one-acts during the festival. In December 2005 an endowment fund was established in honor of Louis Husson’s 80th birthday. In December 2006 Guild members appeared in a concert version of South Pacific at the Greenbrier Resort Hotel with Tony Award winners Lilias White and Brian Stokes Mitchell and Broadway actress Katie Rose Clark in honor of Guild charter member Lawson Hamilton and his wife Jeanne’s 60th wedding anniversary. The Guild has produced a summer musical during FestivALL Charleston since FestivALL’s origin in 2005 and has been a headline event since 2009. Director Nina Denton Pasinetti was honored at the Charleston Women’s Club in 2008 for her 25th year as Artistic Director. A gala benefit show and reception, hosted by Golden Globe winning actress and Guild alumna Jennifer Garner, was held during the FestivALL 2011 Civic Center production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The Civil War was presented at the Culture Center Theatre as part of the West Virginia Sesquicentennial Commission’s official commemoration of West Virginia in 2013. Guest artists included West Virginia native and professional actor David Selby who appeared as Abraham Lincoln on West Virginia Day and Mountain Stage host Larry Groce as the balladeer. In 2014 the Guild recognized 40 years of continual summer theatre with a reprise of the first summer production, Godspell. Many original cast members were on hand to join the celebration including Grammy Award winning artist and honoree, Kathy Mattea. During the summer of 2016 CLOG celebrated 20 years at the Guild Theatre with performances and refreshments. The event included a tribute to longtime musical director John Marshall. Following a 2016 strategic planning session led by Dr. Edwin Welch, Guild leaders decided to engage in a $2million endowment campaign to ensure continuation of the Charleston Light Opera Guild for years to come. The campaign was announced at the Kathy Mattea Guild Benefit Concert held at the Guild Theatre in March 2019. The campaign led by Dr. Dan Foster and Kay Goodwin, with honorary chair Jennifer Garner, has been a huge success. The 70th Anniversary was celebrated at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center with a revival of Oklahoma! A November 23 Gala that featured cameo performances by returning cast members from 3 previous productions followed by a dinner and dance enjoyed by cast and returning performers and supporters. Due to a global pandemic, a revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music was the only musical produced in 2020. The Guild has produced 254 productions. More than 14,000 view a show annually. The organization has been honored with a Mayor’s Award for the Arts, “Arts to the Max” Award from the Charleston Area Alliance, recognition for Organizational Leadership from the National Endowment for the Arts and 2018 Governor’s Arts Award for Organization of the Year. Many working professionals, including Kathy Mattea, Ann Magnuson, Joe Chrest, Rebecca Robbins and Jennifer Garner, honed their skills performing with the Guild. The group continues to entertain, excite and inspire audiences with high caliber community based musical theatre offered at an affordable price. The Charleston Light Opera Guild is the only community arts group in the area devoted exclusively to musical theatre.

Photos from Charleston Light Opera Guild Inc's post

09/26/2024

Hard to believe that Beauty & The Beast opens in ONE MONTH!
💙💛💙💛💙
We’re hard at work in rehearsals and can’t wait to bring this Disney classic to life!

🌹Beauty & The Beast
📆⏰Performance dates & times are as follows: October 25, & November 1, 2 @7:30pm
October 26, 27, & November 3 @2:00pm
📍Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia
🎟️ https://secure.theclaycenter.org/15948

09/16/2024

🚨FABULOUS FIELD TRIP ALERT 🌹

Tickets for the Charleston Light Opera Guild's Beauty & the Beast school shows are now available!

You can bring your class to 1 of 2 performances
📅 October 29 at 9:30AM
📅 October 30 at 9:30AM

Contact the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia to make reservations!
📞 305-561-3570
✉️ [email protected]

09/13/2024

Tickets are NOW ON SALE for Beauty & The Beast!

Performance dates and times are slightly different from the norm, so please be mindful!

🌹Beauty & The Beast
📆⏰Performance dates & times are as follows: October 25, & November 1, 2 @7:30pm
October 26, 27, & November 3 @2:00pm
📍Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of West Virginia
🎟️ https://secure.theclaycenter.org/15948

09/12/2024

We’d like to extend a special congratulations to a wonderful member of our CLOG family- Seth Skiles! Seth was recently named West Virginia’s Teacher of the Year! 👏🏼

Seth began with the Guild in 2003 as a youngster in “The Music Man” and recently returned to the stage with us in 2022 as Jacey Squires in ”The Music Man” barbershop quartet 💈

We are so proud of this Music Man that’s making all the difference in his students’ lives each and every day!

09/09/2024

How perfect to hit 10,000 followers as we enter our 75th Anniversary Show & Gala!
👍🏼❤️👍🏼❤️
THANK YOU! You’ll be seeing lots of exciting anniversary updates coming in the next few weeks as we prepare for our gala & Beauty & The Beast!

09/05/2024

Congratulations to the cast of Beauty & The Beast! 🌹

🎟️ Tickets on sale soon!

08/31/2024

🌹 BEAUTY & THE BEAST AUDITIONS 🥀 DANCE AUDITIONS TODAY!

DANCING: Saturday, August 31 | 1:00 p.m. - Dress to dance. Combinations will be taught. Be prompt!
*All auditions held at the Charleston Light Opera Theatre in Charleston*

🪶 🫖 AVAILABLE ROLES 🕯️ 🕰️
(Chip is portrayed by a small boy - ages 7-9 years old. All others in the production should be ages 14-adult. All characters sing. A large singing ensemble and dancing ensemble are also needed.)
Belle - beautiful, courageous, intelligent and strong-willed young woman; lyric soprano
Beast/Prince - a menacing character with a large temper; transforms to a charming prince; baritone
Gaston - handsome braggart who is determined to marry Belle; baritone with a low A
Maurice - Belle's dotty father who is an eccentric inventor; baritone
Lefou - Gaston's bumbling sidekick who displays physical comedy; high baritone
Lumiere - a flamboyant and love-struck enchanted candelabra; a showman and dancer; high baritone/tenor
Cogsworth - a tightly-wound pompous enchanted clock; baritone
Mrs. Potts - a kind and sweetly maternal enchanted teapot; mezzo soprano
Madame de la Grand Bouche - a comedic enchanted wardrobe; operatic soprano
Chip - an inquisitive little teacup and Mrs. Potts' son; boy soprano
Babette - a sexy French feather duster with movement or dance abilities; mezzo soprano
Les Filles De La Ville - 3 fanatical female followers of Gaston who are smitten with him; need dance or movement abilities; mixed vocal ranges from soprano to high alto (formerly called Silly Girls)
Monsieur D'Arque - slimy and calculating proprietor of the local asylum; baritone
Townspeople, Enchanted Objects - ensemble of singers and dancers to play the town folk (Shepherd, Marie, Tavern Master, Laundry Lady, Baker, Milkmaid, Flower Seller, Sausage Curl Lady, Candle Maker, Hat Seller, Book Seller, Cronies)
Castle Staff become various objects including kitchenware, flatware, napkins, can-can dancing plates
ALSO dancing wolves; Acrobatic doormat, Young Prince, and Enchantress

The Charleston Light Opera Guild in collaboration with the Clay Center will bring this classic tale to the Maier Performance Hall stage October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024.

08/29/2024

🌹 BEAUTY & THE BEAST AUDITIONS 🥀 SINGING AUDITIONS TONIGHT!

SINGING: Thursday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. - Prepare a selection to sing. Bring copy of music for Guild accompanist unless singing from the score.
READING: Friday, August 30 | 7:00 p.m. - Scripts will be provided.
DANCING: Saturday, August 31 | 1:00 p.m. - Dress to dance. Combinations will be taught. Be prompt!
*All auditions held at the Charleston Light Opera Theatre in Charleston*

🪶 🫖 AVAILABLE ROLES 🕯️ 🕰️
(Chip is portrayed by a small boy - ages 7-9 years old. All others in the production should be ages 14-adult. All characters sing. A large singing ensemble and dancing ensemble are also needed.)
Belle - beautiful, courageous, intelligent and strong-willed young woman; lyric soprano
Beast/Prince - a menacing character with a large temper; transforms to a charming prince; baritone
Gaston - handsome braggart who is determined to marry Belle; baritone with a low A
Maurice - Belle's dotty father who is an eccentric inventor; baritone
Lefou - Gaston's bumbling sidekick who displays physical comedy; high baritone
Lumiere - a flamboyant and love-struck enchanted candelabra; a showman and dancer; high baritone/tenor
Cogsworth - a tightly-wound pompous enchanted clock; baritone
Mrs. Potts - a kind and sweetly maternal enchanted teapot; mezzo soprano
Madame de la Grand Bouche - a comedic enchanted wardrobe; operatic soprano
Chip - an inquisitive little teacup and Mrs. Potts' son; boy soprano
Babette - a sexy French feather duster with movement or dance abilities; mezzo soprano
Les Filles De La Ville - 3 fanatical female followers of Gaston who are smitten with him; need dance or movement abilities; mixed vocal ranges from soprano to high alto (formerly called Silly Girls)
Monsieur D'Arque - slimy and calculating proprietor of the local asylum; baritone
Townspeople, Enchanted Objects - ensemble of singers and dancers to play the town folk (Shepherd, Marie, Tavern Master, Laundry Lady, Baker, Milkmaid, Flower Seller, Sausage Curl Lady, Candle Maker, Hat Seller, Book Seller, Cronies)
Castle Staff become various objects including kitchenware, flatware, napkins, can-can dancing plates
ALSO dancing wolves; Acrobatic doormat, Young Prince, and Enchantress

The Charleston Light Opera Guild in collaboration with the Clay Center will bring this classic tale to the Maier Performance Hall stage October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024.

08/26/2024

It’s almost here!🌹 BEAUTY & THE BEAST AUDITIONS 🥀 are THIS WEEK!

SINGING: Thursday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. - Prepare a selection to sing. Bring copy of music for Guild accompanist unless singing from the score.
READING: Friday, August 30 | 7:00 p.m. - Scripts will be provided.
DANCING: Saturday, August 31 | 1:00 p.m. - Dress to dance. Combinations will be taught. Be prompt!
*All auditions held at the Charleston Light Opera Theatre in Charleston*

🪶 🫖 AVAILABLE ROLES 🕯️ 🕰️
(Chip is portrayed by a small boy - ages 7-9 years old. All others in the production should be ages 14-adult. All characters sing. A large singing ensemble and dancing ensemble are also needed.)
Belle - beautiful, courageous, intelligent and strong-willed young woman; lyric soprano
Beast/Prince - a menacing character with a large temper; transforms to a charming prince; baritone
Gaston - handsome braggart who is determined to marry Belle; baritone with a low A
Maurice - Belle's dotty father who is an eccentric inventor; baritone
Lefou - Gaston's bumbling sidekick who displays physical comedy; high baritone
Lumiere - a flamboyant and love-struck enchanted candelabra; a showman and dancer; high baritone/tenor
Cogsworth - a tightly-wound pompous enchanted clock; baritone
Mrs. Potts - a kind and sweetly maternal enchanted teapot; mezzo soprano
Madame de la Grand Bouche - a comedic enchanted wardrobe; operatic soprano
Chip - an inquisitive little teacup and Mrs. Potts' son; boy soprano
Babette - a sexy French feather duster with movement or dance abilities; mezzo soprano
Les Filles De La Ville - 3 fanatical female followers of Gaston who are smitten with him; need dance or movement abilities; mixed vocal ranges from soprano to high alto (formerly called Silly Girls)
Monsieur D'Arque - slimy and calculating proprietor of the local asylum; baritone
Townspeople, Enchanted Objects - ensemble of singers and dancers to play the town folk (Shepherd, Marie, Tavern Master, Laundry Lady, Baker, Milkmaid, Flower Seller, Sausage Curl Lady, Candle Maker, Hat Seller, Book Seller, Cronies)
Castle Staff become various objects including kitchenware, flatware, napkins, can-can dancing plates
ALSO dancing wolves; Acrobatic doormat, Young Prince, and Enchantress

The Charleston Light Opera Guild in collaboration with the Clay Center will bring this classic tale to the Maier Performance Hall stage October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024.

08/12/2024

🌹 BEAUTY & THE BEAST AUDITIONS 🥀

SINGING: Thursday, August 29 | 7:00 p.m. - Prepare a selection to sing. Bring copy of music for Guild accompanist unless singing from the score.
READING: Friday, August 30 | 7:00 p.m. - Scripts will be provided.
DANCING: Saturday, August 31 | 1:00 p.m. - Dress to dance. Combinations will be taught. Be prompt!
*All auditions held at the Charleston Light Opera Theatre in Charleston*

🪶 🫖 AVAILABLE ROLES 🕯️ 🕰️
(Chip is portrayed by a small boy - ages 7-9 years old. All others in the production should be ages 14-adult. All characters sing. A large singing ensemble and dancing ensemble are also needed.)
Belle - beautiful, courageous, intelligent and strong-willed young woman; lyric soprano
Beast/Prince - a menacing character with a large temper; transforms to a charming prince; baritone
Gaston - handsome braggart who is determined to marry Belle; baritone with a low A
Maurice - Belle's dotty father who is an eccentric inventor; baritone
Lefou - Gaston's bumbling sidekick who displays physical comedy; high baritone
Lumiere - a flamboyant and love-struck enchanted candelabra; a showman and dancer; high baritone/tenor
Cogsworth - a tightly-wound pompous enchanted clock; baritone
Mrs. Potts - a kind and sweetly maternal enchanted teapot; mezzo soprano
Madame de la Grand Bouche - a comedic enchanted wardrobe; operatic soprano
Chip - an inquisitive little teacup and Mrs. Potts' son; boy soprano
Babette - a sexy French feather duster with movement or dance abilities; mezzo soprano
Les Filles De La Ville - 3 fanatical female followers of Gaston who are smitten with him; need dance or movement abilities; mixed vocal ranges from soprano to high alto (formerly called Silly Girls)
Monsieur D'Arque - slimy and calculating proprietor of the local asylum; baritone
Townspeople, Enchanted Objects - ensemble of singers and dancers to play the town folk (Shepherd, Marie, Tavern Master, Laundry Lady, Baker, Milkmaid, Flower Seller, Sausage Curl Lady, Candle Maker, Hat Seller, Book Seller, Cronies)
Castle Staff become various objects including kitchenware, flatware, napkins, can-can dancing plates
ALSO dancing wolves; Acrobatic doormat, Young Prince, and Enchantress

The Charleston Light Opera Guild in collaboration with the Clay Center will bring this classic tale to the Maier Performance Hall stage October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024.

On Stage: Lure of performing brings artist back to the spotlight after long absence

08/11/2024

Last chance to see this incredible cast today at 2:00! Don’t miss it! 💕

On Stage: Lure of performing brings artist back to the spotlight after long absence Missing from the stage for several years, Andrea Payne has returned, doing what she enjoys. And all it took to entice her back into the spotlight was the story

08/11/2024

Don’t miss the FINAL BOW of LEGALLY BLONDE today at the 2:00 matinee! 🎓 “WE DID IT!”

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 11 @ 2:00pm
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/10/2024

🤌🏼 SNAPS for Legally Blonde final weekend- The 🔥 HOTTEST ticket in the capital city!

Last night’s audience was WILD and we loved it! 😍 Get your tickets online now to avoid the line (and the parking for GNO tonight)!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/09/2024

Grab your pink & head to the theater! 💓 We’re back TONIGHT for the final weekend of Legally Blonde!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/09/2024

Closing weekend starts TOMORROW— Time to BEND & SNAP up those tickets before it’s too late! ⏰ It’s frickin’ wicked stunnin’ 😉

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/07/2024

It’s hard enough not to sing along, but it’s even harder not to join in on one of the most quotable movies ever. And all these iconic lines are in the musical 💕💁🏼‍♀️ One more weekend! Get those tickets now!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/06/2024

It may be a bummer that school is back in session soon ☹️ But we’re pumped that the doors of Harvard Law School are back open this weekend for LEGALLY BLONDE! 📚 💕💁🏼‍♀️

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

'Legally Blonde': Breaking down stereotypes, celebrating sisterhood, empowerment

08/05/2024

After an AMAZING opening weekend 🤩 we wanted to let you know you’re not too late to see the blonde underdog (and her adorable dog) with the rest of the amazing Legally Blonde cast again THIS weekend!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

'Legally Blonde': Breaking down stereotypes, celebrating sisterhood, empowerment The Charleston Light Opera Guild’s “Legally Blonde,” opens Aug. 3, 2024, at the Charleston Coliseum Theatre, in Charleston, West Virginia. Part of the message in the musical: not all underdogs look the same.

On Stage: Looking for love at Harvard Law, CLOG presents 'Legally Blonde: The Musical'

08/04/2024

It’s a perfectly pink Sunday matinee today at 2:00! 💕

And who knew Professor Callahan would be sweet enough to tease our show on WCHS Eyewitness News 😉 Thanks Kennie Bass for this fabulous piece!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 4 & 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

On Stage: Looking for love at Harvard Law, CLOG presents 'Legally Blonde: The Musical' The story began as a book, evolved into a hit movie and eventually moved to Broadway. For the second time in its 75-year history, the Charleston Light Opera Gui

08/03/2024

OPENING NIGHT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! 💖 And if you haven’t had a chance yet… get those tickets for this weekend!

In the meantime, here’s our leading lady on WCHS serving all the Woods (comma) Elle fabulousness 💁🏼‍♀️

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 3-4 & 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/02/2024

🌟CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST OF LEGALLY BLONDE ON THEIR OPENING NIGHT🌟

🩷Don’t have your tickets yet? It isn’t too late to snag your seats NOW!🩷

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 2-4 & 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/01/2024

📦 🚨 SPECIAL DELIVERY 🚨 📦
Have we got a package for you, Charleston!
LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL OPENS TOMORROW!

Better bend and snap up those tickets NOW!

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 2-4 & 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

08/01/2024

🌟CAST SPOTLIGHT🌟
🩷LORI CONN🩷

💖💁🏼‍♀️Legally Blonde - The Musical
📆 August 2-4 & 9-11
📍Charleston Coliseum Theater
🎟️ https://clo.vbotickets.com/events

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