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Downtown
Though half a century old, this theater maintains the glamour of its early years, richly decorated with crystal chandeliers, classical theatrical drapes, and a 24-karat gold dome. Part of the Los Angeles Music Center, this pavilion is home to the L.A. Opera though a large portion of programming is made up of dance and ballet performances as well. Ticket holders can attend free talks that take place an hour before opera performances. Reservations for the talks aren't required, but it's wise to arrive early, as space is limited.
135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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With a robust lineup from May through November, acts such as Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Aretha Franklin (RIP) have all graced the stage at this scenic outdoor venue. Located at the base of Griffith Park, there's usually slow pre-show traffic on concert nights, but that'll give you a chance to take in the beautiful park foliage and homes in the Hollywood Hills. Paid lots are available for parking, but wear comfortable shoes and expect to walk as some lots are fairly far from the theater. Or you can park and enjoy cocktails in trendy and chic Los Feliz before a show, then walk up to the venue.
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA
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Downtown
One of the architectural wonders of Los Angeles, the 2,265-seat hall is a sculptural monument of gleaming, curved steel designed by Frank Gehry. It's part of a complex that includes a public park, gardens, shops, and two outdoor amphitheaters, one of them atop the concert hall. The acoustically superlative venue is the home of the city's premier orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, whose music director, Gustavo Dudamel, is an international celebrity in his own right. The orchestra's season runs from late September to early June, before it heads to the Hollywood Bowl for the summer.
111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
Arts/Entertainment Details
Rate Includes: Free self-guided tours
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Named for one of Shakespeare's stage directions in Hamlet, A Noise Within is the Los Angeles area's preeminent place to see classic theater. The Bard's own works are told alongside those of Oscar Wilde and the Greek tragedies, often with a twist. The company boasts fierce talent among its revolving repertory of resident actors, many of whom also work in Hollywood. Audience members are never more than eight rows away from its platform stage, creating a sense of intimacy for all in attendance.
3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, California, 91107, USA
Arts/Entertainment Details
Rate Includes: $65
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Look like a local and attend an event at this Santa Monica–based American Cinematheque theater first opened in 1940. The name refers to its roots: this Streamline Moderne-style theater was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company to entertain its armies of workers during the war effort. Newly renovated, it offers new projection equipment, improved sound, and cushier facilities. In addition to now-standard digital films, the theater is equipped to show 35mm and 70mm reels. American Cinematheque also hosts industry events like filmmaker discussions and revivals.
1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, California, USA
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Downtown
The largest of L.A.'s Center Theatre Group's three theaters, the 2,100-seat Ahmanson Theatre presents larger-scale classic revivals, dramas, musicals, and comedies like Into the Woods, which are either going to or coming from Broadway and the West End. The ambience is a theater lover's delight.
135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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Theater
With two stages and year-round performances, Atwater Village has aligned with three L.A. theater companies: Ensemble Studio Theatre, Circle X Theatre Co., and Echo Theater Company, and presents fresh works from new local playwrights.
3269 Casitas Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
323-644–1929-Circle X Theatre Company
Arts/Entertainment Details
Rate Includes: The phone number listed is for Circle X Threatre Company
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Theater
Specializing in restored archival film, the Billy Wilder Theater, home of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, presents a number of acclaimed screenings, including both silent and foreign films. The Hammer Museum produces its own events for the theater, including readings, lectures, and conversations with artists. Authors Jonathan Lethem and Roxane Gay, and director David Lynch have all made appearances. Hammer Museum programs are free; screenings by the UCLA Film & Television Archive have charged admission with a ticket.
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA
310-206–8013-UCLA Film & Television Archive
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Dance
An array of arresting events happens here, from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, to storytelling series The Moth, to performances by activist artists Silencio Blanco, and more. The Los Angeles Ballet is one of the frequent guests here.
Royce Hall, 340 Royce Dr., Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA
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Downtown | Theater
The Center Theatre Group is comprised of three venues: the Ahmanson and the Taper (both at the Music Center campus Downtown) and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. They show an array of productions, from the Tony Award winner Dear Evan Hansen to touring productions of Broadway hits like Jersey Boys.
135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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Hollywood | Concerts
The 3,400-seat theater and host of the Academy Awards is housed in the shopping and entertainment complex known as Hollywood & Highland, just steps away from the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. If no concerts or events are happening when you’re in the area, take one of the daily tours offered by Dolby Theatre and see a world only Hollywood bigwigs and movie stars are privy to.
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
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Little Tokyo
Plays at this Little Tokyo theater focus on the Asian American experience and feature an Asian American cast. Its Theatre for Youth Program is a traveling production that promotes racial tolerance and understanding among students. It is also home to the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute.
120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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Hollywood | Film
The theater packs in as much preshow entertainment as it can, such as an immersive light-and-projection show before movies such as Beauty and the Beast. There's also an on-site organ player to entertain folks as they find their seats. VIP tickets are available and include reserved seating, popcorn, and a drink.
6838 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
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Hollywood
The multiple award–winning (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, NAACP Theater Awards, Ovation Award, to name a few) Fountain Theatre is committed to diverse theater and dance performances. Although the 80-seat venue may be intimate, it's a powerhouse at producing original plays in addition to revivals.
5060 Fountain Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90029, USA
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This theater centers on original material and world premieres with professional actors year-round. The small venue is known for its dedication to diversity and its inclusive atmosphere, with “talkbacks" (Q&As between actors and audience members) after certain shows. Ray Bradbury regularly produced shows here for five years before his death in 2012, including a stage adaptation of Fahrenheit 451.
1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, California, 91030, USA
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Westwood | Theater
Well-known actors are often on the bill at the Geffen, and plays by established playwrights, such as Neil LaBute and Lynn Nottage, happen regularly. With two stages hosting world premieres and critically acclaimed works, there's always something compelling to watch. Free events are frequently put on for ticket holders, including Wine Down Sundays, which feature music and wine sampling before evening shows.
10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA
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Theater
This theater, located in a walkable Culver City neighborhood (close to cocktail bars and trendy restaurants), stages modern works and world premieres. The smallest venue of the group at 317 seats, the theater also hosts intimate workshops and readings.
9820 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, 90232, USA
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Dance
Going on its 11th year presenting world-class productions, Los Angeles Ballet (LAB), the city's one and only professional classical ballet company, performs at a number of venues across the city, showcasing both classical and modern ballet.
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Downtown
Both dramas and comedies dominate the stage at the Mark Taper Forum, next door to the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown. A showcase for new and experimental plays, quite a few shows that premiered here have gone on to Broadway and off-Broadway theaters (a number of Pulitzer Prize–winning plays have also been developed here).
135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
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Downtown
The Microsoft Theater is host to a variety of concerts and big-name awards shows—the Emmys, American Music Awards, BET Awards, and the ESPYs. This theater and the surrounding L.A. Live complex are a draw for those looking for a fun night out. The building's emphasis on acoustics and versatile seating arrangements means that all 7,100 seats are good, whether you're at an intimate acoustic concert or an awards show. Outside, the L.A. Live complex is home to restaurants and attractions, including the GRAMMY Museum, to keep patrons entertained before and after shows (though it's open whether or not there's a performance).
777 Chick Hearn Ct., Los Angeles, California, 90015, USA
