Theater in LA — Page 2

JoseLee- you don't see small theater companies productions? Wow..

youre missing a whole lot of good theater- no matter where you live

"I don't. Sticking to just those theatres: there's something to see almost every week. I couldn't/don't want waste time or money."

I would echo what jbm2 said. There is some incredible work being done in some of the 99 seat theaters around town like the Odyssey and others. I've seen some amazing shows in settings so intimate, it felt like it was being done for me in my living room. To blindly go to every single thing the 5 or 6 largest theaters do without exercising any sort of judgment while totally ignoring the smaller theaters especially in a town like L.A. would seem to be the very definition of wasting time and money. Size does not always equal quality. Don't get me wrong, I've seen a lot of shows at Geffen, the Center Theater group's 3 theaters etc. and they do a great job but not everything they put on appeals to me or hits the mark and I would hate to think of what great theater experiences I would have missed if I just limited myself to them. But it's your time and your money obviously so do what makes you happy.

"Saw Bad News in NY

Was not a big fan of it."

Bears?

^ Haha. It did feel like young theater, but in a good way for me- it was exciting to watch.

I saw Pinter's THE HOMECOMING last week at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice. Again, it's an excellently acted production -- even expat Brits seem to like it. http://www.british-weekly.com/?p=17600 But it is Pinter, so will not be to everyone's taste.

BENT ends its run at the Taper this weekend. If you haven't caught it yet, this is your last chance!

Sondheim's ASSASSINS is opening at the Pico Playhouse tomorrow. http://assassinsmusicalla.com/ I haven't been to this theater before, but figured I'd check it out. (A little theater in Silverlake did a marvelous production of ASSASSINS a number of years ago. It works very well in a small venue.)

I'm also looking forward to THESE PAPER BULLETS at the Geffen, with music by Billie Joe Armstrong. It starts September 8 for a 6-week run. http://www.geffenplayhouse.com/more_info.php?show_id=223

Which, curiously enough, overlaps with AMERICAN IDIOT RELOADED. DOMA has been saying it will be "bigger & better" than their recently ended production and "with a few new surprises". It's only scheduled for 9 performances, beginning October 2, and is almost sold-out.

Thank you so much for these suggestions, PepperedShepherd! I will definitely look into some of these, especially now that I know you have great taste. And yes Bent was very good.

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 12:52 AM

JoseLee_ said: "I would never spend my money on small theatre companies or school productions. That's just me. I stick to the best LA has to offer: the Pantages Theatre (season tickets), Ahmanson Theatre, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Wallis Center, Geffen Playhouse, and LA Theatre Works. I more than just try to see everything. I will see it :p I love live theatre so much. "

I must echo jbm2 and FishermanBob. You say you "love live theater so much" and yet you don't want to spend money at small theaters??? You can often see productions for $10-20 a seat. [Thank you, Goldstar!] So even if you occasionally hit a clunker -- which in my experience is not very often -- you're still better off than spending over $120 for a crap touring production at the Ahmanson or Pantages.

Some of the most stimulating & enjoyable theater I've seen has been at the small theaters in L.A. In addition to some of the productions named in this thread, I have seen and enjoyed:

CABARET and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM at Crown City in the Valley.

AVENUE Q and DREAMGIRLS at DOMA.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the Lonny Chapman in NoHo.

SWEENEY TODD at the El Portal in NoHo.

THE GOAT, OR WHO IS SYLVIA? at the LA LGBT Center Theater in Hollywood.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Cupcake on Hollywood Blvd.

A DELICATE BALANCE at the Odyssey in West LA.

And that's just in the last year! I've seen most of these in other productions -- whether touring, on Broadway, or in the West End -- and every single one of the shows above provided comparable experiences at a fraction of the cost.

The small theaters really are "the best LA has to offer". Remember: DeafWest's production of SPRING AWAKENING did not start at the Wallis. It started at a little theater in Downtown LA. General Admission: $34.

Updated On: 8/21/15 at 01:49 AM

Adding An Act of God to my list....

Carrie doesn't even start till October 1st.

It never played L.A. La Mirada is a different city. Next time be more specific? It is the same production.

DOMA is always desperate for attention.

What I'm seeing (in order): "Kristin Chenoweth" @ Walt Disney Concert Hall, "Guards at the Taj" @ Geffen Playhouse, "Wiesenthal" @ Wallis Center, "Beauty and the Beast" @ Pantages Theatre, "Straight White Men" @ Kirk Douglas Theatre, & "Outside Mullingar" @ Geffen Playhouse [This is just November]

Beauty and the Beast (tour) is the only musical, Kristin Chenoweth is a concert, and the rest are plays.

jbm2 said: "Breaking Through at Pasadena Playhouse looks interesting. They are hoping for a Broadway transfer.

Agree with you jbm2. Planning to catch that when I am in L.A. myself in November. It's already up on Goldstar. Will also catch Guards at the Taj at Geffen, Awake and Sing! at the Odyssey and Kansas City Choir Boy with Courtney Love at the Kirk Douglas. May also try to fit in Abundance at South Coast Rep if I have the time. Was there this past weekend and saw their production of One Man, Two Govnors and it was outstanding. I've seen a few things there before and they put on quality productions.

Too bad you're not going to be there in October. This past weekend, I also saw Echo Theater Company's production of American Falls at the Atwater Village Theater in L.A. It is a world premiere and about the lives of a group of people on the plains in Idaho, their aspirations and dysfunctions. It was fantastic and I can't recommend it highly enough. Unfortunately, it only runs until October 18th. I've added Echo to the list of L.A. small theater companies that I will have to check out again on future visits. Amazing theater going on at some of these 99 seats theater companies.

The Addams Family is far from my favorite musical but 3D Theatricals' presentation with Bronson Pinchot and Rachel York is very intriguing.