Discover the Los Angeles Theatre Scene
A night out at the theatre is a great way to get out of your neighborhood and discover this incredible city. Los Angeles is home to a wealth of talented artists, producers and arts organizations. What makes our theatre scene so special is that the best of the best come to Hollywood to act, sing, write, direct and design for television and film. In between jobs, many artists are looking to reconnect to their live performance roots, and L.A. audiences benefit from that passion to perform. A number of incredible theatre companies have emerged throughout the years and have put L.A. on the map as a major player in new American theatre. From blockbusters at the Pantages Theatre to unique performances such as For the Record Live, there’s something for everyone in L.A.’s exciting theatre scene.
Center Theatre Group
Centre Theatre Group is the backbone of L.A.'s theatre community. The Ahmanson and Mark Taper Forum not only present national touring productions, but they are also a development home for productions that transfer around the world. Attending a show in one of the CTG spaces brings Angelenos Downtown, which is undergoing an incredible renaissance. The Kirk Douglas Theater is also a part of CTG, located in the heart of a very vibrant Culver City. This is the place to go and catch world premieres of exciting new plays and musicals and explore an often overlooked gem of the neighborhood. Discover a new cafe and take a chance on a new play.
Geffen Playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse produces some of the best theatre in the city, and it’s a great excuse to have a night out in Westwood Village. Always a great place to catch a Hollywood legend in an intimate setting.
Cavern Club at Casita Del Campo
For a night of pure campy joy, go check out Chico's Angels at the Cavern Club Theater underneath Casita del Campo in Silver Lake. The Mexican food is awesome too.
Dragonfly
The Dragonfly is located on Santa Monica Boulevard in L.A.'s Theatre Row. It has a great little bar, and Thomas Blake has created a wild “only-in-Los Angeles experience” with Point Break Live and Terminator Too Judgment Play.
The Broad Stage
The Broad Stage is the new cultural mecca on the Westside. World-class performing arts programming for those who can't force themselves east of the 405.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is the newest addition to L.A.'s performing arts landscape. The preservation and transformation of the Beverly Hills Post Office is worth the visit alone. Make a dinner reservation at a Beverly Hills hotspot and make your way to the Wallis for a new musical, a thought-provoking play or a world-class dance performance.
Pasadena Playhouse
Pasadena Playhouse does a lot of really wonderful shows. I particularly love what Lythgoe Family Productions has done during the holidays by bringing their fresh take on British panto stateside.
El Portal Theatre
El Portal Theatre is located in the heart of North Hollywood, aka NoHo. It is home to a variety of theatrical production companies on several stages. Hollywood legends, new plays, community groups and even pre-New York productions are part of each season at El Portal.