Though being the toast of the town in 1926 and boasting four films based on it, Sigmund Romberg's The Desert Song doesn't receive a plethora of productions in the contemporary theatre community. That said, IL's Light Opera Works now take their stab at the operetta, which has book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, Otto Harbach, and Frank Mandel. The production runs at the Cahn Auditorium, Dec. 26 - Jan. 3, 1999.

Set in Morocco, The Desert Song follows the romantic escapades of Pierre Birabeau, the son of a general in the French foreign legion. Disguising himself as "The Red Shadow," Pierre leads a band of Arabs against the French. Songs for the show include: "One Alone," "The Riff Song," "I Want a Kiss" and, of course - "The Desert Song."

Founder of the Chi-town's Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, William Pullinsi helms a cast including: Stanton Garr, Joelle Charbonneau-Blanco, Cindy Chang, Stephen Brett Hyberger, Kathleen McCoy, Bradley R. Schuller, Jennifer Willison, Bill Wronski, and Breisa Youmna.

For tickets ($22-$49) or more information, call The Light Opera Works box office at (847) 869-6300.

-- By Sean McGrath