Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (Pittsburgh CLO) is a nonprofit professional theater company based in the Cultural District of Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Despite its name, the organization presents musical theatre classics rather than opera. 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 on 3 June 1946, where it offered outdoor performances until 1958. In 1961, the Civic Arena, was built to house the CLO. The arena, former home of the Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL, 1961–67) and the 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 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, the first American summertime musical theater. Wolk wanted to copy the idea, and after discussions with Pittsburgh retail magnate 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, the Construction Center for the Arts and being a partner in Elephant Eye Theatricals. National touring includes Doctor Dolittle, Barry Manilow’s Copacabana and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Pittsburgh CLO has participated in a number of Broadway shows, including Legally Blonde, Curtains, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Color Purple, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Bombay Dreams, Flower Drum Song and Big River.
Pittsburgh CLO's numerous programs for students include the Gene Kelly Awards, founded in 1990.
In 2004, the Pittsburgh CLO produced The Music Man, featuring Jeff Goldblum as Harold Hill, alongside his then-girlfriend, Catherine Wreford, Illeana Douglas, and Ed Begley, Jr. This production was later made the centerpiece of mockumentary/documentary Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh CLO. Administrative Offices 719 Liberty Avenue, 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Our 2025 PNC Summer of Musicals marks 79 years of bringing you musicals made by, for and in partnership with Pittsburgh. What better way to celebrate than with three blockbuster musicals …
On February 20, 1946, the Civic Light Opera Association held a press luncheon to announce its very first season. Immediately, talk of a new era in Pittsburgh’s cultural life made a huge …
Pittsburgh CLO produces Broadway-quality musicals in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Learn more about our upcoming shows.
Broadway: Phantom of the Opera (Monsieur Andre), Ragtime (Henry Ford), and Grinch (Papa Who). National Tour: White Christmas (Mike Nulty) Regional: Utah Shakespeare (9 seasons), …
On February 20, 1946, the Civic Light Opera Association held a press luncheon to announce its very first season. Immediately, talk of a new era in Pittsburgh’s cultural life made a huge …
Pittsburgh CLO. Administrative Offices 719 Liberty Avenue, 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
This page contains a complete list of musicals produced or presented by Pittsburgh CLO since 1946.
During this time he has also designed and engineered shows for the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. In addition to his professional career in Pittsburgh, …
Trained actors, singers and dancers for Pittsburgh CLO’s 2025 Summer Series. PLEASE NOTE: Pittsburgh CLO does NOT accept video submissions/Zoom auditions. Auditions are by …
