Our history
1970 – 2019 – Founded by impresario Richard Sheldon, Opera A La Carte began as a dinner theatre ensemble. Specializing in the works of Gilbert & Sullivan, the group began touring the country. For nearly 40 years OALC performed in nearly every state in the United States.
2019 – 2023. Due the financial instability of the theatre touring model, the company went dormant. It retained its board of directors and non-profit status.
2024 to present – A new team began to assemble, inspired to develop new works outside the G&S canon. They rebooted the vision and began operations as Arts a La Carte. To date, they have mounted the following productions:
- Steel Magnolias, full production, in association with Theatre Americana in Pasadena. (May, 2024)
- Jasper (by Pete Barry), Where it is Eaten (by Irene L Pynn), and Griswold’s By Night (by Katherine Nolan) at the Plays at the Museum Festival at Fullerton Museum Center (October, 2024)
- The Heart Tells Tales by Omen Kaine, a reading. (November, 2024)
- Jim and Huck – A play with music by Susan Lambert Hatem. Reading at ARC (A Room to Create) in Pasadena. Proceeds supported Arts a La Carte and Pasadena’s Union Station Homeless Services Fire Relief. (March, 2025)
- The Ride (a Musical) – book by Katherine Nolan, lyrics by Pete Barry and Katherine Nolan, and music by Pete Barry. Concert reading at LA LGBT Center (May, 2025)
- Eight-Song Workthrough of The Flirt Bar – A workthrough in preparation for January 2026 concert reading. Boston Court theatre, Pasadena. (November, 2025)
- Merry Queerness: A Wildly Inappropriate Holiday Show – a collective extravaganza of improv, song, and jollity. Co-produced with the LA LGBT Center (December, 2025)
- The Flirt Bar – Book by Susan Lambert Hatem, Music by Amy Ray and Michelle Malone. Concert reading at Synchronicity Theatre, Atlanta. Co-produced with Charlotte’s Off-Broadway and 134 West (January, 2026)
