Light Opera of New York, affectionately known as LOONY, was founded in 2006 as a professional, not-for-profit company devoted to the performance of staged operettas and operetta concerts.

Over the past five years we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Victor Herbert’s birth with productions of NAUGHTY MARIETTA, MLLE MODISTE and THE RED MILL as well as other classic American Operettas like THE DESERT SONG, THE VAGABOND KING and THE STUDENT PRINCE.  In addition, the company has performed other lesser-known works, including Victor Herbert’s THE MAGIC KNIGHT, our own English-language translation of Offenbach’s MONSIEUR CHOUFLEURI, Sir William Gilbert’s EYES AND NO EYES, a gender-reversed version of a G&S standard, MIS(S) TRIAL BY JURY, and a send-up of IOLANTHE send-up entitled PEER PRESSURE.  In addition, we have performed many concerts and a fully-staged DIE FLEDERMAUS for a private engagement.

LOONY is now entering its sixth year of presenting classic operetta from a 21st-century perspective and has two consecutive seasons of fully-produced and well received operettas under its belt.

“…director Gary Slavin... performed a more authentic version than even the New York City Opera and Paper Mill Playhouse.”
     Reviewer Harry Forbes on last season’s production of THE DESERT SONG

Our performances have won the hearts of audiences and critics alike, and our young, stouthearted company is attracting first rate talent to its roster, as well as important financial support from reputable organizations like the Victor Herbert Foundation, which has awarded us two separate grants in the past three years.

This season, we bring three more operetta gems to the stage for your enjoyment:  Friml & Stothart’s ROSE MARIE, Herbert’s EILEEN and Coward’s BITTER SWEET.  And, for your convenience, LOONY will now present two performances of each operetta, with shows on Friday evenings at 8pm and Saturday late afternoons at 5pm.  Click here to get your tickets now!

LOONY is also available to perform for private events with a range of programs, from a quartet of singers to a full-length, themed concert or fully staged operetta.  If you are interested in engaging LOONY for an event, please email us at:  info@lightoperaofnewyork.org.