Opera for All Initiative

Making Professional Theater Available to a Wider Spectrum of People

Opera for All was established by LONJ to provide 10% of mainstage tickets at no cost to qualified individuals, making professional theater available to a wider spectrum of people. Now in its third year, this innovative program was originally funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and is now supported by grants from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Green Family Foundation.

Individuals and Organizations are invited to apply for free tickets to LONJ’s production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Sieminski Theater on July 12 and 13. Please check back soon for available showtimes.

Qualified organizations and individuals interested in free tickets for this show should complete an application form below. The deadline to submit an application is June 27, 2025.

The Pirates of Penzance is a beloved comic opera by the legendary duo of W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Its enduring popularity stems from its witty dialogue, and some of the most recognizable and beloved melodies in musical theater history including the iconic I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General.

The story centers on Frederic, an apprentice pirate who, upon reaching his 21st birthday, desires to abandon his pirate life and embrace respectability. A comedic twist arises from a leap-year technicality, revealing that Frederic is actually only five years old, binding him to the pirates.

He falls in love with Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, leading to a series of humorous encounters involving pirates, policemen, and the Major-General’s large family of daughters.

Directed by Nicholas Wuehrmann, Musical Direction by Jason Tramm.

Its lighthearted humor and engaging story make it suitable for audiences of all ages.

Seating for these performances is very limited, so please be sure to apply as soon as possible if you are interested. If the number of tickets requested exceeds capacity, priority will be given to those patrons who have not applied for this program in the past, otherwise, tickets will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.”

For questions concerning this grant, contact Tess Giardina: teresa.giardina@lonj.org.

For more information on LONJ, visit https://lightoperaofnewjersey.org.

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

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