# Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Civic_Light_Opera
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pittsburgh_Civic_Light_Opera.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Civic_Light_Opera
> Source revision: 1348826447
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Nonprofit professional theater company in Pennsylvania, USA

Not to be confused with [Pittsburgh Opera](/source/Pittsburgh_Opera).

Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera logo

**Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera** (**Pittsburgh CLO**) is a [nonprofit](/source/Nonprofit) professional theater company based in the [Cultural District](/source/Cultural_District%2C_Pittsburgh) of [Downtown](/source/Downtown_Pittsburgh) [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh%2C_Pennsylvania), [Pennsylvania](/source/Pennsylvania), [USA](/source/United_States). Despite its name, the organization presents [musical theatre](/source/Musical_theatre) classics rather than [opera](/source/Opera); although it does occasionally stage [operettas](/source/Operettas). Its productions draw more than 200,000 patrons each year and its annual budget is nearly $10 million.

Established on 20 February 1946, it premiered at [Pitt Stadium](/source/Pitt_Stadium) on 3 June 1946, where it offered outdoor performances until 1958. In 1961, the [Civic Arena](/source/Civic_Arena_(Pittsburgh)), was built to house the CLO. The arena, the former home of the [Pittsburgh Hornets](/source/Pittsburgh_Hornets) (AHL, 1961–67) and the [Pittsburgh Penguins](/source/Pittsburgh_Penguins) (NHL, 1967-2010) hockey franchises, was covered by the world's first retractable roof, designed so that audiences might enjoy theater under the stars. In 1973 the company moved to the newly renovated former Penn Theatre that was now called Heinz Hall. The company moved to the [Benedum Center](/source/Benedum_Center) in 1988. CLO opened its newest venue in 2004, The CLO Cabaret at Theater Square.

Pittsburgh CLO's history began when Abraham Lewis Wolk, a Pittsburgh City Councilman, attended a performance of the [St. Louis Municipal Opera](/source/St._Louis_Municipal_Opera), the first American summertime musical theater. Wolk wanted to copy the idea, and after discussions with Pittsburgh retail magnate [Edgar J. Kaufmann](/source/Edgar_J._Kaufmann), who helped with financing, Pittsburgh CLO was established.

Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been dedicated to the preservation, creation and promotion of live musical theater. Pittsburgh CLO produces a Main Stage Season, A Musical Christmas Carol and operates the CLO Cabaret. Programs include the Academy, Mini Stars, the [Richard Rodgers Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Rodgers_Award_for_Excellence_in_Musical_Theater&action=edit&redlink=1), the Construction Center for the Arts and is a partner in Elephant Eye Theatricals. National touring includes *[Doctor Dolittle](/source/Doctor_Dolittle_(disambiguation))*, [Barry Manilow](/source/Barry_Manilow)’s *[Copacabana](/source/Copacabana_(musical))* and *[Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat](/source/Joseph_and_the_Amazing_Technicolor_Dreamcoat)*.

Pittsburgh CLO has participated in a number of [Broadway](/source/Broadway_(theatre)) shows, including *[Legally Blonde](/source/Legally_Blonde_(musical)), [Curtains](/source/Curtains_(musical)), [Monty Python's Spamalot](/source/Monty_Python's_Spamalot), [The Color Purple](/source/The_Color_Purple_(musical)), [Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life](/source/Chita_Rivera%3A_The_Dancer's_Life), [Thoroughly Modern Millie](/source/Thoroughly_Modern_Millie_(musical)), [Bombay Dreams](/source/Bombay_Dreams), [Flower Drum Song](/source/Flower_Drum_Song)* and *[Big River](/source/Big_River_(musical))*. The musical director for several of these was [Sue Anderson](/source/Sue_Anderson_(musician)).[1] [Tom Helm](/source/Tom_Helm_(conductor)) served as the Pittsburgh CLO's long time music director from 1997 to 2016 after having earlier served in that post in 1981-1982.[2]

Pittsburgh CLO's numerous programs for students include the [Gene Kelly Awards](/source/Gene_Kelly_Awards), founded in 1990.

In 2004, the Pittsburgh CLO produced *[The Music Man](/source/The_Music_Man)*, featuring [Jeff Goldblum](/source/Jeff_Goldblum) as Harold Hill, alongside his then-girlfriend, [Catherine Wreford](/source/Catherine_Wreford), [Illeana Douglas](/source/Illeana_Douglas), and [Ed Begley, Jr.](/source/Ed_Begley%2C_Jr.) This production was later made the centerpiece of [mockumentary](/source/Mockumentary)/[documentary](/source/Documentary) *[Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh_(2006_film))*.

## See also

- [Theatre in Pittsburgh](/source/Theatre_in_Pittsburgh)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Sue Anderson"](https://maestramusic.org/profile/sue-anderson), *Maestra*. Retrieved June 27, 2025; and ["Sue Anderson"](https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/343433-sue-anderson), *About the Artists*. Retrieved June 27, 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hayes, John (July 2, 2000). "Don't Cry For CLO Musical Director Tom Helm". *[Pittsburgh Post - Gazette](/source/Pittsburgh_Post_-_Gazette)*. p. G3.

- Thomas, Mary (October 6, 2011). ["Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra's musicians come from many backgrounds and ages"](http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2011/10/06/Pittsburgh-Civic-Orchestra-s-musicians-come-from-many-backgrounds-and-ages/stories/201110060393). *Pittsburgh Post-Gazette* (South ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: PG Publishing Co. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161231111714/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2011/10/06/Pittsburgh-Civic-Orchestra-s-musicians-come-from-many-backgrounds-and-ages/stories/201110060393) from the original on December 31, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2016.

- www.pittsburghcivicorchestra.net

- www.usctheater.org/events/series/pco

## External links

- [Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera homepage](http://www.pittsburghclo.org/)

- [Nederlander Awards](https://web.archive.org/web/20120622164216/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/20/broadway-or-bust-a-three-part-primetime-series-to-premiere-september-9-on-pbs/138852/)

- [Post Gazette mention](http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/theater-dance/honoring-gene-kelly-on-his-100th-actors-widow-and-pitt-plan-announcement-649537/)

v t e City of Pittsburgh Government Airport Convention Center City Council City Hall Courthouse District Attorney Education Events Fire InterGov Libraries Mayor Parks Police Port Regional Sheriff Transit Water Economy Allegheny Conference Duquesne Club Chamber of Commerce Corporations Economic Club HYP Club Stock Exchange Other topics Colleges and universities Culture cookie table theatre Green Man Pittsburgh Parking Chair Picklesburgh Pittsburgh steak Dialect Jagoff Yinzer Flag Fictional settings Filming films television History name timeline Jewish history 2018 synagogue shooting Pittsburgh toilet Hospitals Media Museums Neighborhoods Nicknames Notable Pittsburghers Region combined statistical area Skyscrapers Sports Transportation Category

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Civic_Light_Opera) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Civic_Light_Opera?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.