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Organization
West Valley Light Opera
West Valley Light Opera was formed in 1964. It aims to promote cultural activity in the area and to provide opportunities for anyone with dramatic aspirations to take part in theatrical productions under the guidance of experienced directors. It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization.
West Valley Light Opera produces three musicals each season. Auditions for each show are open to all, and the organization encourages performers of all races and ethnicity to audition.
Its mailing address is listed below. Its performances are held at the Saratoga Civic Theatre, located at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue in Saratoga.-
Contact Info
West Valley Light Opera
P.O. Box 779
Los Gatos, CA 95031Phone: 408-268-3777
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Current Events
11/07/09-
12/05/09West Side Story
Saratoga Civic Theater -
Upcoming Events
03/13/10-
04/10/10Sweet Charity
Saratoga Civic Theater06/26/10-
07/24/10Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Saratoga Civic Theater -
Member Reviews
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Bravo!"
Review posted by: Ester Williams from Sunnyvale, Nov 18, 2009
I was very impressed with the talent in this production and had a wonderful time last sunday. WVLO did a great job presenting a classic with some new twists. I found the end of the show very touching... Expand
I was very impressed with the talent in this production and had a wonderful time last sunday. WVLO did a great job presenting a classic with some new twists. I found the end of the show very touching and emotional with powerful performance of Anita and Tony's death. Both these actors were wonderful and enjoyable to watch. I also enjoyed the Maria although she was hard to understand at times...but nonetheless talented. I like the new levels that WVLO is taking there shows and am quite surprised at the critics below. I have been a suscriber for many years and to me, the caliber of shows just keeps getting better and better. So thank you for all the good times and sharing your talents with us. We enjoy all you do. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Fantastic!"
Review posted by: Ivan from Berkeley, Nov 17, 2009
I am so astounded of these latter aggressive reviews and I feel sorry for the WSS cast that might have read them. "But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the... Expand
I am so astounded of these latter aggressive reviews and I feel sorry for the WSS cast that might have read them. "But the bitter truth we critics must face is that, in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so." I wish readers could hear, how overjoyed was the audience this last Sunday and how warmly the Cast was congratulated after the show! Go there and make up your own mind! Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Completely Misguided"
Review posted by: Dan E. from Santa Clara, Nov 16, 2009
The one star is for the talented cast which has no chance to overcome the poor execution of an even poorer concept. I wish I had the chance to read the reviews before I bought my ticket. WVLO's good... Expand
The one star is for the talented cast which has no chance to overcome the poor execution of an even poorer concept. I wish I had the chance to read the reviews before I bought my ticket. WVLO's good rep takes a big hit with this one. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"What a Disaster..."
Review posted by: Leadership IS Everything... from Campbell, CA, Nov 15, 2009
I am so upset about this show. I found the videos silly, distracting me enough to start humming the tune of "The Brady Bunch". The gym scene, my favorite, was a joke. Not only were the videos... Expand
I am so upset about this show. I found the videos silly, distracting me enough to start humming the tune of "The Brady Bunch". The gym scene, my favorite, was a joke. Not only were the videos distracting, but it was downright insulting to the 2 incredibly talented leads. WVLO has an extremely talented cast: I recognized several faces from “The Producers” and “Ragtime”, and new faces that show a lot of promise. However, the pace of the show was so slow that I found myself dozing off. I heard groans from people around me. I think everyone was under-rehearsed, partners mismatched. I HAVE TO ASK… What poor female dancer in "America" was paired with a guy who couldn't lift her? And what person at WVLO didn’t correct this sooner? That’s not the only mis-step in the show, there were dozens. WVLO, I am so disappointed. I am hopeful that there is improvement in the Spring. My heart goes out to the performers. Cast & Crew, you did the best with what you had. I’m angered that you so mis-led Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"A Monumental Misstep"
Review posted by: Flabbergasted from San Jose, CA, Nov 13, 2009
Plain and simple, this production was just awful. I give the group credit for trying to do something different, but sometimes the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is true. The cast did... Expand
Plain and simple, this production was just awful. I give the group credit for trying to do something different, but sometimes the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is true. The cast did what they could with what they had, but they were given VERY little to work with. The production team doomed this show from the start by going over the top in their "improvements" on the original show. The orchestra had trouble due to the conductor’s inconsistency. The choreography is minimal, at best. The multimedia concept is a novel one, but the execution was horrible, reaching its apex during “One Hand, One Heart.” Okay, it's a fantasy about a wedding. Do we really need video of it, complete with shots of their smiling faces? Apparently, the producer and director felt it best to sledgehammer the point into our brains. The WVLO board needs to seriously reconsider before bringing anyone involved in this production back for any more shows. It was embarrassing to watch. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Excellent Production!"
Review posted by: Pete Francis from San Jose, CA, Nov 10, 2009
I am a WVLO subscriber and I LOVED this production! This company is willing to take some risks that audiences should appreciate! They used minimal sets with flair in their recent production of My Fair... Expand
I am a WVLO subscriber and I LOVED this production! This company is willing to take some risks that audiences should appreciate! They used minimal sets with flair in their recent production of My Fair Lady and they are now using creative film projections in this current production of West Side Story. It was great to see something different and it was well executed. The leads were wonderful with amazing voices and acting. I enjoyed the choreography and the fighting was staged well. I highly recommend this production and will be going back a second time with some friends! Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Don't usually like this show!!"
Review posted by: Jim Thompson from Saratoga CA, Nov 10, 2009
My wife is a huge fan of West Side Story so i was rather forced against my will to come along. All the other times I've seen it I could barely remember the plot afterwards because the actors didn't... Expand
My wife is a huge fan of West Side Story so i was rather forced against my will to come along. All the other times I've seen it I could barely remember the plot afterwards because the actors didn't make me care. But I was VERY pleasantly surprised by this play! At times the orchestra was a little loud but it only bothered me when it drowned out the singers (which was rare). The lead actors and actresses were wonderful. beautiful voices all around and the dancing was astonishing! The management of this play had the inspiring idea to use video projection as the backgrounds for several of the different locations the gangs went to. I thought this idea was just amazing! It was so clever and it added so much to the play and made it feel really professional. I am a man so this is hard to admit but i will say that the ending on this one made me get a little misty. And that almost never happens to me. I whole heartedly recommend this play to everyone and anyone. FANTASTIC. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Not Good"
Review posted by: Sad from Sunnyvale, CA, Nov 10, 2009
I left this show extremely disappointed and underwhelmed. The leads were great vocally but they could not make up for the problems with this production. The direction, choreography, orchestra and... Expand
I left this show extremely disappointed and underwhelmed. The leads were great vocally but they could not make up for the problems with this production. The direction, choreography, orchestra and sound were poor and amateurish at best. The projection screen was horrific and ruined any of the tender scenes attempted. I would not recommend this show to anyone. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Very Impressed"
Review posted by: Pam Denetti from San Jose, Nov 10, 2009
Hats off to West Valley Light Opera for once again a great show! To me this was one of the strongest and talented casts I've seen in some time come out of that theater. The performances of Anita and... Expand
Hats off to West Valley Light Opera for once again a great show! To me this was one of the strongest and talented casts I've seen in some time come out of that theater. The performances of Anita and Tony were exceptionally enjoyable, both making me really believe in their characters and struggles- not to mention their beautiful voices! The sound was a bit off as the orchestra may be a little loud at times and drown out the actors on stage. The video was an interesting touch. Kuddos to all involved in this production, looking forward to seeing it again. Collapse
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Event Name: West Side Story
"Not this time!"
Review posted by: Disappointed subscriber from San Jose, Nov 10, 2009
I attended the Opening Night of West Valley's current production of WEST SIDE STORY. I am sorry to report that it just isn't up to recent shows that this group has presented. First of all, it is a... Expand
I attended the Opening Night of West Valley's current production of WEST SIDE STORY. I am sorry to report that it just isn't up to recent shows that this group has presented. First of all, it is a difficult show to produce even in the professional world. I found the videos distracting and the pace of the show was so slow that I found myself struggling to stay awake. The dancers, orchestra, and sound were all under rehearsed and the all over all look was that of a poorly presented junior high school show. West Valley, I am disappointed in this attempt. I hope there is improvement with CHARITY and BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO; otherwise, you are going to lose me as a subscriber. Collapse
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Past Events
06/27/09-
07/25/09My Fair Lady
Saratoga Civic Theater03/07/09-
04/04/09Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats
Saratoga Civic Theater03/03/09 333test existing org, new venue
03/01/09-
03/31/09Neighborhood Retreat
11/08/08-
12/06/08Plaid Tidings - Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid
Saratoga Civic Theater06/21/08-
07/19/08Grease
Saratoga Civic Theater03/01/08-
03/29/08Damn Yankees
Saratoga Civic Theater11/03/07-
12/01/07Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Saratoga Civic Theater06/23/07-
07/21/07Wonderful Town
Saratoga Civic Theater03/03/07-
03/31/07HONK!
Saratoga Civic Theater11/04/06-
12/02/06Aida
Saratoga Civic Theater06/24/06-
07/29/06Mame
Saratoga Civic Theater03/11/06-
04/08/06Once Upon a Mattress
Saratoga Civic Theater11/05/05-
12/03/05Oliver
Saratoga Civic Theater06/25/05-
07/30/05Flower Drum Song
Saratoga Civic Theater03/12/05-
04/09/05Smokey Joe's Cafe
Saratoga Civic Theater11/06/04-
12/04/04Big River
Saratoga Civic Theater06/26/04-
07/31/04Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Saratoga Civic Theater03/06/04-
04/03/04A Chorus Line
Saratoga Civic Theater11/08/03-
12/06/03Hello Dolly!
Saratoga Civic Theater06/28/03-
07/26/03George M!
Saratoga Civic Theater03/15/03-
04/12/03Forever Plaid
Saratoga Civic Theater11/09/02-
12/07/02Kiss Me, Kate
Saratoga Civic Theater06/29/02-
07/27/02Anything Goes
Saratoga Civic Theater03/23/02-
04/18/02Nunsense Jamboree III
Saratoga Civic Theater11/03/01-
12/01/0142nd Street
Saratoga Civic Theater
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