In 1995, William Corson and Lauran Fulton Corson of Basking Ridge, NJ created a small but ambitious troupe named Ridge Light Opera to specialize in performances of musical theater, comic/light opera, and operetta. What began as a showcase for Lauran’s voice students and a few of their friends soon gained momentum, garnering favorable notice from an expanding circle of audience members, area performers, directors and technical staff. The organization changed its name to Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ) in 2013 to reflect this expanding sphere of influence and nearly two decades of continuous improvement in musical quality and production values.
LONJ performances in locations such as South Orange and Basking Ridge, NJ range from fully staged and costumed highlights shows to full-scale productions of operas and Broadway shows. LONJ has also presented workshops, cabarets, and outreach programs throughout Northern and Central New Jersey. Frequent collaborations with nearby ensembles like the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the New Jersey Youth Chorus enhance LONJ performances and help it reach new audiences. The Show History page contains a list of major productions from its founding to the present day.