Homer Curran
Encyclopedia
Homer F. Curran was an American theatrical producer
who had a profound impact on the development of professional theatre on the West Coast of the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Born in Springfield, Missouri
, he was educated at Stanford University
. After graduating, he purchased and operated the Cort Theatre in San Francisco. In 1922 he established the Curran Theatre
in that city. In 1939 he founded the San Francisco Light Opera Company which for many years worked in partnership with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera
. He notably co-authored the books for the operetta Song of Norway
and the musical Magdalena: a Musical Adventure.
Theatrical producer
A theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
who had a profound impact on the development of professional theatre on the West Coast of the United States during the first half of the 20th century. Born in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, he was educated at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
. After graduating, he purchased and operated the Cort Theatre in San Francisco. In 1922 he established the Curran Theatre
Curran Theatre
The Curran Theatre is located in San Francisco and was named by its first owner, Homer Curran. The theatre is currently owned by Carole Shorenstein Hays and is operated by SHN - Overview :...
in that city. In 1939 he founded the San Francisco Light Opera Company which for many years worked in partnership with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera
Los Angeles Civic Light Opera
The Los Angeles Civic Light Opera was an American theatre/opera company in Los Angeles, California. Founded under the motto "Light Opera in the Grand Opera manner" in 1938 by impresario Edwin Lester, the organization presented fifty seasons of theatre before closing due to financial reasons in...
. He notably co-authored the books for the operetta Song of Norway
Song of Norway
Song of Norway is an operetta written in 1944 by Robert Wright and George Forrest, adapted from the music of Edvard Grieg and the book by Milton Lazarus and Homer Curran...
and the musical Magdalena: a Musical Adventure.