Step Into the Spotlight: Explore Broadway in Downtown LA

With the city’s reputation as the entertainment capital of the world, it’s no surprise that live theater can be found everywhere in Los Angeles. Touring Broadway productions arrive in the city like clockwork, ready to make a splash on the West Coast, while other boundary-pushing adaptations are birthed in L.A. before making their way to New York City’s Great White Way.

Below, Ticketmaster explores the history of theater and plays in Los Angeles, including what fans can expect at many of the city’s most famous stages.

About the Los Angeles Theater District

The Los Angeles theater scene is hardly limited to the confines of downtown L.A. Instead, the City of Angels’ multitude of live theaters stretch from Santa Monica Boulevard and the lights of Hollywood all the way to Long Beach, offering theatrical experiences large and small. The oldest venues in the city date back to the age of vaudeville and movie palaces and everything from West Coast premieres of Broadway touring productions to new works by theatrical luminaries can be seen throughout L.A.

Iconic Theaters in the District

The theaters dotting the Los Angeles area are as varied as the city’s many neighborhoods, from the Hollywood Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard to the Los Angeles Music Center’s plethora of venues in downtown L.A. Find out everything you need to know about the city’s most famous theaters below.

The Hudson Theatres

6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038

 

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The Hudson Theatres are a trifecta that make up Los Angeles’ most intimate trio of stages. Located on Santa Monica Blvd just blocks away from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Hudson Theatreers include the Mainstage Theatre and Backstage Theatre — both with 99 seats each — and the Hudson Guild Theatre, which doubles as a 43-seat jewel box theater and screening room. The Hudson Theatres have been home to the world premieres of Heathers! The Musical and Nia Vardalos’ original one-woman stage version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the West Coast premiere of Chess, The Wild Party with Sally Kellermen and more.

Hollywood Pantages Theatre

6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 

Known as the last movie palace ever built in Hollywood, the Hollywood Pantages Theatre remains one of the most recognizable theaters in all of Los Angeles. The venue opened in 1930 and, for most of its history, operated as a movie theater with occasional live entertainment. Now operating as a subsidiary of the Nederlander Organization, the Pantages has hosted West Coast runs of Broadway hits like The Lion King, Wicked, Hamilton, The Book of Mormon and more.

Ahmanson Theatre

135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

 

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One of five venues that make up the Los Angeles Music Center, the Ahmanson Theatre opened in 1967. Its first show was a national cast production of Man of La Mancha with original Broadway stars Richard Kiley and Joan Diener. In its history, the Ahmanson has premiered six different plays by Neil Simon and was home to the long-running Los Angeles productions of The Phantom of the Opera (from 1989 to 1993) and Miss Saigon (1995) and the world premiere of Dolly Parton’s musical adaptation of 9 to 5 (2008).

Los Angeles Music Center

135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

In addition to the above-mentioned Ahmanson Theatre, the Los Angeles Music Center is made up of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum and the Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT). Established in 1964, the Music Center is home to numerous resident companies across its many spaces: the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Center Theatre Group and Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center.

Long Beach Terrace Theater

300 E Ocean Blvd #300, Long Beach, CA 90802

 

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The Long Beach Terrace Theater is a theatrical venue inside the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Built in 1978 to replace the demolished Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, the theater has hosted everything from Broadway touring productions and operas to beauty pageants, industrial conventions, dance competitions, religious services and beyond. Richard Pryor even filmed his 1979 comedy special, Richard Pryor: Live in Concert, at the venue.

Dining and Accommodations

Where to Eat in the Los Angeles Theater District

• The Cat & Fiddle, 742 Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038
• Mother Tongue, 960 N La Brea Ave 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90038
• Agua Viva, 100 S Grand St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Hill Street Bar & Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Maccheroni Republic, 332 S Broadway, Los Angeles, 90013
• BADMAASH, 108 W 2nd St #104, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• The Auld Dubliner, 71 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
• 555 East American Steakhouse, 555 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

Where to Stay Near the Los Angeles Theater District

• The Everly Hollywood, 1800 Argyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• The Aster, 1717 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Hampton Inn & Suites Los Angeles/Hollywood, 1133 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
• W Hollywood, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028
• Conrad Los Angeles, 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, 251 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• The Westin Long Beach, 333 Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
• Hyatt Regency Long Beach, 200 S Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802