Light Opera of New Jersey

Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) is a premier regional musical theater company bringing numerous genres to life, including musical theater, opera, and operetta. They offer innovative and reimagined productions led by exceptional singer-actors and orchestral musicians. They aim to inspire audiences with accessible and entertaining shows that enrich the cultural life of their region.

Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) is the creation of William Corson and Lauran Fulton Corson of Basking Ridge, NJ. Spun from student workshops in Corson Studios in the early 1990s ′s, LONJ specializes in highlight shows such as September Song, an Evening of Light Opera, and OPERAgious!! (fully staged opera highlights "with a twist") and full-scale musicals/operettas such as The Pirates of Penzance and Oklahoma! Plus, there are workshops, lounges, and school programs.

In 1995, William Corson and Lauran Fulton Corson created a small but ambitious troupe named Ridge Light Opera to specialize in musical theater, comic/light opera, and operetta performances. Their efforts soon gained momentum, garnering favorable notice from an expanding circle of audience members, performers, and directors. In 2013, the organization changed its name to Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) to reflect this expanding sphere of influence and nearly two decades of high-caliber musical shows.

LONJ is known for its exceptionally high production values and top on-stage talent, mixing professional lead singers with highly qualified amateur performers. In addition to their shows, they also produce a series of concerts for other artists, including their well-known A Cappella Jamboree with such collegiate groups as The Colgate Thirteen and the Yale Whiffenpoofs, as well as other non-operatic shows. LONJ performs full-scale productions at SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center) and the Fellowship Community Arts Center in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. In addition, the company presents workshops, cabarets, concerts, and outreach programs in various locales, such as Opera For Kids, the Pre-Professional Program, and "Savoy Faire."