LONG BEACH : Civic Opera Delays Season Until January

Hit recently with the loss of two top executives, the Long Beach Civic Light Opera has created a new play schedule that could change season dates permanently.

The resignation of Executive Director Clare Faulkner last month to take a job with the California State University system was followed by the departure of producer Barry Brown, who will work with the company as a consultant. Lacking a full-time producer and director, opera board members worried they couldn’t pull their season together in time, said Janet Foley, board president.

Foley and other board members decided to delay their season opener, “Can-Can,” from Oct. 2 to Jan. 7.

They realized they could sell season subscriptions as Christmas gifts, work through the fall to prepare and raise funds, and create a season with shows coming at regular two-month intervals.

“We’re thinking we might do it this way from now on. It really makes sense,” Foley said.

With 20,000 season tickets already sold, some exchanges will certainly be necessary, but theater officials are already notifying subscribers.

“Can-Can” will be followed by “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” scheduled to open March 2, “The King and I” on May 4, and “A Chorus Line” on July 13.