The Los Angeles Civic Light Opera was founded in 1938 by Edwin Lester, one of the most influential figures in 20th century musical theatre. He created the organization to present high-quality stage musicals, to present "light opera in the grand opera manner." With the inaugural production, "Blossom Time," starring John Charles Thomas, Lester commanded attention and showed that big Broadway-style entertainment of the highest quality could succeed in Los Angeles. By partnering with colleague, San Francisco-based Homer Curran, Lester was able to offer artists and producers the ability to book their shows in both L.A. and San Francisco, and because of this successful partnership, Broadway producers for the first time saw that it could be profitable to extend the route of touring Broadway shows West of the Rocky Mountains.

For decades, the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera presented annual seasons of first-class musical theatre engagements, some of which were locally produced by Mr. Lester, and some of which were local engagements of big Broadway tours. The LACLO became the most successful musical theatre subscription organization of its kind. It wasn't until the 1970s that the organization began to see a downfall of its subscription audience; not only had the social revolution of the time been manifested in a modernization of public tastes, but the number of Broadway show openings was become drastically decreased.

(For a more detailed history of Edwin Lester and the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, please CLICK HERE to read an article written by Jack Viertel and published on the occasion of Mr. Lester's 90th birthday.)