Oil Lamp Theater announces Light The Way, a transformative fundraising campaign designed to expand arts education, strengthen essential staff and establish a larger performance venue with the goal of staying in downtown Glenview. Building on its roots as a scrappy storefront, Oil Lamp is evolving into a more robust organization—without losing the intimacy and warmth that define its theater experience. Oil Lamp Theater hopes this announcement inspires excitement throughout the community. Interested community members are invited to learn more by reaching out to the theater, attending the 2025 Gala on October 18 and staying tuned as additional news is shared in the near future. For information or to support the campaign go to OilLampTheater.org/Light-the-Way or reach out to Oil Lamp at light-the-way@oillamptheater.org.
Oil Lamp Theater welcomes more than 10,000 guests from over 225 Chicagoland communities each year to its current 60-seat theatre in downtown Glenview. Light the Way funds will go to many new Oil Lamp initiatives including:
● Fueling the growth of Oil Lamp’s education branch at the SPARK Center—expanding programming, creating pathways for scholarships and integrating The Laughing Academy’s offerings with Oil Lamp’s in fall 2026.
● Strengthening operations and staff to support growth and sustainability
● Relocating the theater with expanded seating capacity while still providing an intimate experience as well as a dedicated box office.
“Oil Lamp Theater has been a cornerstone of the Glenview community for the past 13 years, enriching our downtown both culturally and economically. Its impact extends well beyond the stage—by drawing theatergoers to downtown Glenview, it helps support local restaurants and small businesses, contributing to the overall vibrancy of our community,” said State Senator Laura Fine. “Supporting the arts in this way is more than a cultural investment; it’s a commitment to the continued growth and vitality of Glenview. That’s why I was proud to award capital grant funds to help Oil Lamp Theater expand its reach and solidify its lasting presence in our community.”
“This is more than a campaign - it’s a bold transformation of Oil Lamp Theater,” said Executive Director Jay Pastucha. “We’ve learned that to best serve our mission, our patrons and our artists, we must be both flexible and firmly rooted. Our operations and current space, while beloved, limits what Oil Lamp may offer artistically and experientially. Already, Light The Way is opening new doors—most notably a major collaboration with The
Laughing Academy, will bring their popular improv and comedy programs to our Spark Center in 2026. This new partnership with The Laughing Academy exemplifies the kind of growth and community impact this campaign makes possible, positioning Oil Lamp as a driving force not just in the arts, but in the broader revitalization of downtown Glenview.”
Building on this, Founder of The Laughing Academy Kim Greene Hiller said: “As the Laughing Academy begins our 15th year, and final year in Glenview, we have reached out to offer a collaboration with Oil Lamp Theater. The community they have built will have the opportunity to enroll in Laughing Academy improv and stand up classes at the new SPARK CENTER, beginning in September 2026. I have also joined Oil Lamp’s Education Committee and, together, we will work over the next year to continue the youth program that has been such an integral part of The Laughing Academy.”
MORE FROM OIL LAMP THEATER:
Side by Side By Sondheim
Now Playing through September 14th
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Additional Music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne
Continuity by Ned Sherrin
Directed by Christina Ramirez
Music Directed by Amy Branahl
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with additional Wednesday performances August 27 at 7:30 p.m. and September 3 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The life and works of the late, great Stephen Sondheim are celebrated in the Tony Award-winning Side By Side By Sondheim. This musical revue offers a captivating journey through the wit and brilliance of one of Broadway’s greatest musical storytellers and features songs from Gypsy, Company, West Side Story, A Little Night Music, Follies and others.
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
November 20 - December 28
Adapted by Joe Landry
Preview Performance: Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Press Opening: Friday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Performance Schedule: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with an additional Wednesday performance, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.
This heartwarming production is the perfect way to embrace the spirit of the Holidays. Experience unrivaled cheer with Frank Capra's beloved classic, “It's a Wonderful Life,” reimagined as a captivating live radio play,
complete with foley sound effects and set in Oil Lamp’s own WBFR radio studio.
Journey to Bedford Falls, where George Bailey's troubles lead him to wish he was never born. Clarence, an angel sent to intervene, steps in to make his wishes come true and George quickly learns just how many lives he has touched and just how blessed he really is.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER’S SPARK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Oil Lamp Theater recently opened the Oil Lamp Theater’s SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, 1009 Waukegan Rd. The SPARK CENTER spans 2,750 square feet, which will feature two spacious studios for classes and dedicated office spaces for Oil Lamp staff. The SPARK CENTER enables the expansion of Oil Lamp’s arts education programs led by top Chicagoland theater professionals for all ages and skill levels. These same studios serve as the creative center where Oil Lamp’s productions come to life as it is also a rehearsal space for Oil Lamp Theater productions taking place across the street at 1723 Glenview Road.
The inaugural offerings of the SPARK CENTER included Summer Camps and Youth and Adult Education classes with fall classes now on sale. For more information on the SPARK CENTER, go to OilLampTheater.org/spark-center.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER
Oil Lamp Theater is an award-winning 60-seat storefront theater located in the heart of downtown Glenview. Keith Gerth founded the theater in February 2005, originally staging 20 productions for up to thirty-five friends and guests at night in his condo in Chicago. In March 2012, the organization was incorporated as a nonprofit and established a new location in downtown Glenview, fitted with warm décor and comfortable seating, reminiscent of a home. Oil Lamp produced 53 shows over the next seven years, reaching 10,000+ patrons per year and earning “Best Live Theater in the North Shore'' for four consecutive years. At the start of 2020, Keith Gerth retired, and shortly after, the pandemic began. Despite these major changes, Oil Lamp sprung into action and organized a drive-in for a fully-produced solo show, hosted outdoor concerts and built an outdoor venue for two full productions. Seeing the impact this made and the ability to conquer any challenge, Oil Lamp returned to indoor programming with a renewed vision. Oil Lamp now produces a dynamic Main Stage Season, Speak Easy Nights, a Women on Wednesdays series and continues investing in its connection with the community.
(L to R) Jacob Alexander, Abbey Loria, Daria Koon and Tommy Wells SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM from Oil Lamp Theater now playing through September 14. Photo by Gosia Photography
Exterior of the Oil Lamp Theater. Photo courtesy of Oil Lamp Theater
Exterior of the SPARK CENTER for the Performing Arts, home of Oil Lamp;s arts education programs, now offering classes, camps, and workshops led by top Chicagoland theater professionals for all ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of Oil Lamp Theater
Photo of a recent Youth Education class. Photo courtesy of Oil Lamp Theater