#1
Posted: 5/16/13 at 2:31pm
I'm visiting LA for a few weeks. Never been out here before. What shows should I see? What theaters should I see? etc.
#2
Posted: 5/16/13 at 2:46pm
The Ahmanson is a good theatre which has either sit-down productions of a show that was on Broadway (often they get original cast members to reprise their roles) or pre-Broadway tryouts. Scottsboro Boys is coming next week at the Ahmanson. The Mark Taper is next to the Ahmanson and primarily has plays but I did see Pippin and Parade there a few years back. The Pantages in Hollywood has touring productions (often non-equity) and its hit or miss as to the quality of the shows. They do often have a lottery 2 hours before and the theatre is across the street from the Hollywood/Vine subway station. The Geffen Playhouse in Westwood is a good venue as well.
"I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tightrope dancer, so that no incompetent would dare step upon it." Goethe
#4
Posted: 5/16/13 at 3:04pm
Nice. I'm def seeing Scottsboro Boys and Priscilla at the Pantages.
#5
Posted: 5/16/13 at 3:26pm
Don't miss a night at the Hollywood Bowl. Doesn't matter what's playing-- just pack a picnic and some wine and commune with the greatest group of audience members in town.
#6
Posted: 5/16/13 at 3:31pm
Bowl season does not start till June. Definitely something you should do.
HUSSY POWER!
------ HUSSY POWER!
#7
Posted: 5/16/13 at 3:35pm
There are two shows for "An Evening with Shirley Maclaine" at La Mirada this Saturday. If you are still in town, "Next to Normal" begins there at the end of the month.
If you don't mind driving a little bit, a well-reviewed production of "Parade" is playing in Fullerton.
If you don't mind driving a little bit, a well-reviewed production of "Parade" is playing in Fullerton.
#8
Posted: 5/16/13 at 4:25pm
yes, definitely see Scottsboro Boys!! I believe Joshua Henry is reprising his stunning Tony-nominated performance.... which I saw on Broadway 6 times.
#9
Posted: 5/16/13 at 6:40pm
^^^Glad to hear it. I'm seeing SCOTTSBORO a week from Tuesday.
To the OP, there's a lot of good theater in LA's smaller houses because there is so much fine acting talent in the city for film and TV work. The problem is that, as in NYC, there is an equal amount of lousy work in those same spaces.
Are you visiting friends? If so, they should know what you should see.
To the OP, there's a lot of good theater in LA's smaller houses because there is so much fine acting talent in the city for film and TV work. The problem is that, as in NYC, there is an equal amount of lousy work in those same spaces.
Are you visiting friends? If so, they should know what you should see.
#10
Posted: 5/16/13 at 6:53pm
If you get a chance spend an evening at The Magic Castle. Though you have to get a guest pass, eat dinner, and adhere to a strict dress code- the shows and the history of the place are amazing. I often bump into broadway and film stars there.
"I never had theatre producers run after me. Some people want to make more Broadway shows out of movies. But Elliot and I aren't going to do Batman: The Musical." - Julie Taymor 1999
#11
Posted: 5/16/13 at 7:19pm
I'm visiting friends and family, but they aren't actors/don't see theater and stuff. So just curious what I should be checking out. I love seeing an old theater and whatnot.
#12
Posted: 5/16/13 at 9:25pm
Where are you staying? There's a lot of equity-waiver theaters in the NoHo arts district in the Valley, around Lankershim and Magnolia. Here's a link to their site.
NoHo arts district theatre guide
NoHo arts district theatre guide
Sarcasm is an allergic reaction to stupid people.
#13
Posted: 5/18/13 at 1:40am
Take the LA Conservancy Broadway Theatre tour in Downtown LA and go into 3-4 old movie palaces.
I didn't see how long you were here, but once the Hollywood Bowl starts, anything is good.
I didn't see how long you were here, but once the Hollywood Bowl starts, anything is good.
#15
Posted: 5/18/13 at 2:07pm
Only until June. So I'll miss the Hollywood Bowl, but it looks cool.
Not theater related, but I want to go to Watts Tower. Anyone ever been? I know it's in a sketchy part of town, so wasn't sure.
Not theater related, but I want to go to Watts Tower. Anyone ever been? I know it's in a sketchy part of town, so wasn't sure.
#16
Posted: 5/18/13 at 3:35pm
Watts tower is nothing to get too excited about. Go to Lacma, MOCA or Getty instead
#17
Posted: 5/18/13 at 5:07pm
I went to the Watts Towers when I was a kid. It is amazing to look at, but I think it is more of a class field trip kind of thing (in my opinion)
It is interesting, but if you have limited time, I would recommend the Getty (either old or new), or LACMA and the Petersen car museum - if you like cars.
Also, if you have a chance, the Santa Monica Pier/Beach can provide a nice afternoon/evening. The Third Street Promenade has some decent restaurants and good people watching if you want to be near the beach. But, it does get pretty crowded, especially once summer hits.
Venice Beach can also be fun.
If you are downtown, LA Live (where the Staples Center and the Convention Center are, along with the Nokia Theater) has restaurants and shops. Parking is pretty expensive, but there is mass transit options.
LA Live is probably 12-14 blocks from the Music Center, which houses the Ahmanson/Market Taper/Dorthy Chandler/Disney Hall. The Dorothy Chandler has LA Opera performances. I believe Tosca is playing during that period.
If you are a baseball fan, Dodger games can be fun, but traffic in and out is a nightmare. As others have said, if you can go to the Hollywood Bowl, that is wonderful. If you go, I would recommend you park in Hollywood and Highland and take the shuttle bus to the Bowl. Stop at Trader Joe's first for some wine, cheese and munchies.
A lot really depends where in LA you are staying. There are plenty of destination stops, but also smaller things to do if you are in a specific neighborhood.
Music Center.
It is interesting, but if you have limited time, I would recommend the Getty (either old or new), or LACMA and the Petersen car museum - if you like cars.
Also, if you have a chance, the Santa Monica Pier/Beach can provide a nice afternoon/evening. The Third Street Promenade has some decent restaurants and good people watching if you want to be near the beach. But, it does get pretty crowded, especially once summer hits.
Venice Beach can also be fun.
If you are downtown, LA Live (where the Staples Center and the Convention Center are, along with the Nokia Theater) has restaurants and shops. Parking is pretty expensive, but there is mass transit options.
LA Live is probably 12-14 blocks from the Music Center, which houses the Ahmanson/Market Taper/Dorthy Chandler/Disney Hall. The Dorothy Chandler has LA Opera performances. I believe Tosca is playing during that period.
If you are a baseball fan, Dodger games can be fun, but traffic in and out is a nightmare. As others have said, if you can go to the Hollywood Bowl, that is wonderful. If you go, I would recommend you park in Hollywood and Highland and take the shuttle bus to the Bowl. Stop at Trader Joe's first for some wine, cheese and munchies.
A lot really depends where in LA you are staying. There are plenty of destination stops, but also smaller things to do if you are in a specific neighborhood.
Music Center.
#18
Posted: 5/18/13 at 5:23pm
To be honest, besides the restaurants, LA Live is pretty boring. No shops to browse. The Grammy Museum is really cool if you're a music buff.
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
#19
Posted: 5/18/13 at 5:27pm
True, now that I think about it. I work a few blocks away, so we usually are there after an event/movie or just for a meal. So, scratch the shopping component off of LA Live.
#20
Posted: 5/18/13 at 5:40pm
If you're in L.A., there are plenty of "arty" things to see besides theatre.
Not in any particular order:
The J. Paul Getty Museum
The Huntington Library and Gardens (a must-see)
The Gamble House
The Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum (way, way, WAY better than you think it's going to be)
The Petersen Automotive Museum (they have Eva Peron's Rolls Royce, for what it's worth)
LACMA
The Norton Simon Museum
Griffith Park Observatory
Favorite place to eat:
Ye Olde King's Head Pub in Santa Monica (order the fish & chips and clam chowder--none better in the world)
Not in any particular order:
The J. Paul Getty Museum
The Huntington Library and Gardens (a must-see)
The Gamble House
The Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum (way, way, WAY better than you think it's going to be)
The Petersen Automotive Museum (they have Eva Peron's Rolls Royce, for what it's worth)
LACMA
The Norton Simon Museum
Griffith Park Observatory
Favorite place to eat:
Ye Olde King's Head Pub in Santa Monica (order the fish & chips and clam chowder--none better in the world)
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
Updated On: 5/18/13 at 05:40 PM
#21
Posted: 5/18/13 at 5:44pm
When you go to see Priscilla, there's a cute restaurant across the street called Wood and Vine that has the best chicken and waffles. It's actually a very gourmet, trendy restaurant. For a quick dinner, Delphine at the W Hotel is great. Both are just across the street from the theatre and they have valet for the Pantages there if you have a car.
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
#22
Posted: 5/18/13 at 7:36pm
If you follow Besty's List (which is a good one) I would add that Tea at the Huntington's Tea Room is always fun (and the gardens amazing).
Also, if you are Jewish, the Skirball Museum is pretty wonderful.
Also, if you to the Science and Industry Museum you can also see the Space Shuttle, which I did a month or two ago, and it was pretty cool. But again, I am not sure when schools let out, so there may be some day camps there with a bunch of kids. If there are children in your group, the museum (which I used to call the Push Button Museum when I was a kid, because there were so many buttons to push) was a blast.
Tea for Two
Also, if you are Jewish, the Skirball Museum is pretty wonderful.
Also, if you to the Science and Industry Museum you can also see the Space Shuttle, which I did a month or two ago, and it was pretty cool. But again, I am not sure when schools let out, so there may be some day camps there with a bunch of kids. If there are children in your group, the museum (which I used to call the Push Button Museum when I was a kid, because there were so many buttons to push) was a blast.
Tea for Two
#23
Posted: 5/18/13 at 8:58pm
Thanks y'all! I like weird obscure stuff, so the Watts Tower appealed to me, but it's not going anywhere, so I can catch it next time. Explored the studios and whatnot today, was a cool area.
I'm looking forward to seeing some theater.
I'm looking forward to seeing some theater.
#24
Posted: 5/18/13 at 9:25pm
Favorite place to eat:
Ye Olde King's Head Pub in Santa Monica (order the fish & chips and clam chowder--none better in the world)
Second the recommendation while noting that you'll find more actual Brits at Ye Olde King's Head than you'll find in most pubs in London.
Ye Olde King's Head Pub in Santa Monica (order the fish & chips and clam chowder--none better in the world)
Second the recommendation while noting that you'll find more actual Brits at Ye Olde King's Head than you'll find in most pubs in London.
#25
Posted: 5/18/13 at 9:39pm
Hm. Good to know. I'm on a no-carb diet, but that sounds tasty.
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