Inspired by the fact that "the great American songbook" is hummed and whistled but rarely produced, New England Light Opera opened its doors in the fall of 2002, offering fully staged, fully orchestrated, professional productions of light opera, operetta, and musical theater in English. Bringing to Boston the works of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, and Rogers and Hart, NELO has opened up the musical theater canon, reintroducing local audiences to such productions as Romberg's classic operetta "The New Moon," a revue of the music of Cole Porter, and a concert celebrating America with music. As they promote the legacy of light opera and musical theatre, and introduce audiences to a new repertoire, NELO casts primarily local singers, actors, instrumentalists, directors and designers. Supporting and strengthening the performing arts community of Boston is central to their aim.