[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 62 (Monday, April 27, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DIABLO THEATRE COMPANY

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                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 27, 2009

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Diablo Theatre Company, founded in 1959 as the 
Diablo Light Opera Company. For five decades, Diablo Theatre Company 
has brought San Francisco Bay Area audiences ``the music and magic of 
Broadway.''
  The company grew from modest beginnings. It was founded in 1959 as 
the Diablo Light Opera Company, a name that endured until May of this 
year. The founders were two Walnut Creek couples who were inspired by 
singing with the 120-member Glee Club and Treble Clef at UC Berkeley. 
Their last show on campus was, prophetically, ``Of Thee I Sing.''
  The Diablo Light Opera Company's first offering was Gilbert and 
Sullivan's ``The Pirates of Penzance,'' staged in the multipurpose room 
of Walnut Creek's Las Lomas High School.
  A few years later, the new company presented ``Brigadoon,'' marking a 
major turning point for the arts in Walnut Creek. Ron Caya, Walnut 
Creek's first cultural services director, attended a performance. Since 
seats at the Las Lomas multipurpose room were not on an incline, his 
view was obstructed and he could not see the famous sword dance in the 
show. He subsequently complained to the Walnut Creek City Council, 
telling members that, ``This group needs a real theater.''
  He got the council's attention and plans were made to buy an old 
walnut warehouse, which occupied what is now the site of the Lesher 
Center for the Arts. The warehouse was transformed into a makeshift 
theater, the Walnut Creek Civic Arts Center which became affectionately 
known as the ``Nut House.'' It opened in December 1965 with Diablo 
Light Opera Company's production of ``The Sound of Music.'' The 
audience came in black tie and, because of no heating in the building, 
blankets.
  Years and many performances later, ``Nut House'' was demolished. A 
new performing arts venue, the Lesher Center for the Arts, was 
constructed and opened 19 years ago. Diablo Light Opera Company has 
performed at the Lesher Center ever since in addition to other venues, 
including the recently restored El Campanil Theatre in Antioch in 
eastern Contra Costa County.
  Beginning in June of 2009, Diablo Light Opera Company will assume its 
new name, Diablo Theatre Company while celebrating its colorful past 
and focusing on the future.
  Today, the Diablo Light Opera Company is celebrated and honored for 
enriching the cultural atmosphere through their craft and commitment to 
providing theatrical productions to the Bay Area.

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