Spotlight on a Member

By Brianna Chenevey

When we productively utilize our spare time, we feel more capable of doing our best at work. Speech and Language Therapist, Nancy Kwong, utilizes her spare time by tapping into her creativity. Having worked closely with Nancy, I can easily say that she is one of the most helpful coworkers I know, and she is incredibly creative when it comes to her approach to solving work-related problems. All of this is partly due to her involvement with the WVLO (West Valley Light Opera) Musical Theatre Company.

WVLO was established in Saratoga in 1964. It is a non-profit, community and family-based theatre that allows all types of artists to come together, study and learn the craft, and be a part of the creative process. In other words, these are not paid actors. Several cast members and orchestra members are teachers. Anyone interested in taking part in theatrical productions can audition, and some performers have gone on to star in Broadway plays and shows in New York. As the daughter of an actress, Nancy has been a part of the company since she was born, but really became involved approximately 30 years ago. She performed in her first show at the age of 14. Today, Nancy is a Legacy Board Member, as her family has been involved for the last 50 years. Nancy is also a member of the Board of Directors as well as one of three producers. Another producer is Earl Masuda, a retired teacher from Oak Ridge Elementary School. Aside from producing, Nancy has choreographed from time to time.

WVLO performs three Broadway type musicals each season and is currently entering their 54th season. The next upcoming show, produced by Nancy Kwong, is “Smokey Joe’s Café: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller”. The show opens on March 9th, 2019 and closes April 6th, 2019. Anyone interested in attending can order tickets online at http://www.wvlo.org. Anyone interested in going as a group can contact Nancy via e-mail at nkwong@ogsd.net. All performances are located at the Saratoga Civic Theater.