Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera Back in Spotlight for 2001 Season

Rather than blow out candles on its 15th anniversary, the Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera will switch the stage lights back on to celebrate its 2001 season.

Closed the last two years by a lack of funding, the community theater got a new lease on life after the City Council in July approved $40,000 on behalf of the musical theater group. The money is allocated to pay rent on the 315-seat Forum Theater in Yorba Linda, where civic opera holds its performances.

Organizers will launch a fund-raising event Thursday at the Summit House restaurant, at 2000 E. Bastanchury Road in Fullerton. The event, “Puttin’ On the Glitz,” begins at 6 p.m., followed by a dinner at 7:15 p.m. A musical preview of the 2001 season begins at 8:15 p.m. Season tickets will be available.

The lineup includes the opening musical, “Funny Girl,” from Feb. 2-25; “Forever Plaid,” from June 1-24; and “Carousel,” from Oct. 5-28. A youth theater production is planned for August.

A silent auction also will take place. Organizers hope to raise $15,000, which will help fund costumes, sets and promotional efforts.

The Yorba Linda Civic Light Opera was incorporated in November 1985 and premiered with Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” The group held four shows a year and added two youth theater productions in 1990 to its regular season.

The major productions often left the community theater group operating in the red, forcing its closure in December 1998.

Tickets are $60 for the fund-raising dinner and show. Seating is limited. Advance tickets are recommended. For more information, call (714) 779-1932.