Glenview's Oil Lamp Theater Announces Fundraiser for December 9

Oil Lamp Theater (OLT), Glenview’s beloved professional theater for 11 years, is celebrating a remarkable journey of transformation and growth with its inaugural “Once Upon A Winter Gala” fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, December 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Renaissance Chicago Glenview Suites Hotel located at 1400 Milwaukee Avenue in Glenview. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to support the theater's ongoing operations, to develop new education programs, and help make the theater experience accessible to more audiences.

The emcee for the Once Upon A Winter Gala” is Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, Jen Weigel. Five performers from Oil Lamp Theater productions will sing numbers from musicals and holiday music, and there will be a performance by the Glenview South High School Chamber Singers. The Gala will also feature a silent auction with special experiences, prized items, unique gift baskets, and gift cards. There will also be a cash bar and a variety of food stations. Tickets are $125 per person or $1,000 for a block of ten.

Founded in 2005 by Keith Gerth, Oil Lamp Theater’s name derives from Mr. Gerth’s childhood memories of power outages, the magic of oil lamps, and stories that came to life around the kitchen table. In 2012, the theater evolved into a nonprofit and found its permanent home in downtown Glenview, Illinois boasting a 60-seat venue that became the stage for 43 captivating productions which entertained audiences from at least 100 different cities and communities.

Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, OLT has remained dedicated to serving the community. From virtual shows to outdoor events like drive-in screenings and parking lot concerts, they kept the spirit of theater alive. In the summer of 2021, an outdoor venue was unveiled, invigorating the theater's mission and passion. Equipped with newfound relationships with artists and designers, OLT returned indoors in 2023 with more detailed, engaging, and impactful programming. The theater now offers a mainstage season, auxiliary events like Speak Easy Nights and Women on Wednesdays, as well as expanding education initiatives.

Commenting on OLT’s inaugural fundraising Gala, Jay Pastucha, Executive Director said, “Although our theater’s intimate 60-seat venue provides a unique ambiance and experience for audiences and performers alike, its size poses constraints on accessibility, program offerings, and revenue generation. Our productions, therefore, often require longer runs, raising overall production costs. Also, our relatively small stage and performance area presents a constant challenge to find innovative solutions for staging our productions.”

Pastucha continued, “Hosting our first Gala will enable us to focus on our vision to expand our cultural and economic impact on the North Shore and Glenview. As well, funds raised from the Gala will expand our educational offerings and enhance audience accessibility.”

OLT Board President Liz Polmanski added, “The theater industry remains one of the sectors most severely impacted and slowest to recover from the pandemic. Fundraising from the Gala will ensure the arts are affordable for all and help build deeper connections within our community. Our long-term vision includes building blocks that will enable us not only to sustain the theater, but also to propel it forward. These building blocks are designed to break down barriers and ensure everyone can participate, and include facility upgrades, interpreted performances, patron services, an education and rehearsal center plays, discount ticket programs, and classes brought to senior homes. Please join us December 9. Your generosity will illuminate our commitment to being an active force for good within the community and igniting a passion for the arts in the next generation.”

To learn more about the Oil Lamp Theater or to purchase tickets for “Once Upon A Winter Gala,” please call (847) 834-0738 or visit https://www.oillamptheater.org/once-upon-a-winter-gala.

About the Oil Lamp Theater

Oil Lamp Theater provides a grand theatrical experience in an intimate space by fostering connection, broadening horizons and shining a light on the human condition. In addition to our main stage season, we offer Speak Easy Nights, Women on Wednesdays, post-show talkbacks, pay-what-you-can shows, partnerships with nonprofits and local visual artists, and education classes. As we invest in our community, we invite you to join us on this inspiring journey. Together, we can create a brighter and more vibrant future for all. Oil Lamp Theater is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, EIN: 45-4791301. Donations may be tax deductible. For more information on the Oil Lamp Theater as well as event dates and times, please visit www.oillamptheater.org.

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Media Contact

David Gutierrez, Dresner Corporate Services, (312) 780-7204, [email protected]