Beginning as the Whittier Civic Light Opera in 1952, Musical Theatre West has grown into one of Southern California's most respected regional musical theatre companies. During the past 49 years, we've presented not only established and well known musicals, but a World Premiere (Hurry! Hurry! Hollywood! written by Star Search winner Sam Harris), a Los Angeles/Orange County premiere (a new version of Phantom by Kopit and Yeston), and the West Coast premieres of Cole Porter's The New Yorkers; Eleanor: An American Love Story and a new version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Many of the performers who received their training with us have gone on to professional careers on Broadway (such as Susan Egan, the star of Beauty and the Beast). Giving these young people the chance to work with professional directors, alongside seasoned performers, is an important aspect of what Musical Theatre West is all about.

For the first 25 years of its existence Musical Theatre West performed at various venues in the Whittier area. Beginning in 1977 the company performed at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Since 1997 Musical Theatre West has also been performing in the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Beginning with the 1999-2000 Season, Musical Theatre West has made Long Beach its exclusive home, helping to fill the void when the Long Beach Civic Light Opera ceased its operations and activities.

Introducing the audiences of tomorrow to live theatre through our Youth Cultural Enrichment Program is another major contribution we are able to make to the cultural enrichment of the Southern California arts scene.

Musical Theatre West is dedicated to preserving musical theatre as a unique American Art form and enriching the cultural life of Southern California through the presentation of established musicals, the development of new works, and the expansion of our Youth Cultural Enrichment Program. Musical Theatre West is a California 501(c)3 non-profit organization and is a member of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. Musical Theatre West is proud to be a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and operates under a LOA/WCLO contract with Actor's Equity Association.

For more information call the Musical Theatre West administrative office at (562) 856-1999 or e-mail us at info@musical.org.