Theaters in Los Angeles, CA

The city of Los Angeles is known to be a mecca for some of the greatest movie and theatrical talent primarily due to the dominant Hollywood presence.  Due to this, some of the most historical movie and theatrical venues have blossomed to host and showcase the various movies, shows and plays. This document is an attempt to provide a synopsis of some of these popular Los Angeles Theaters which have made a mark in time.

Ahmanson Theatre

Robert H. Ahmanson, the famous philanthropist was behind the making of Ahmanson theatre which was opened on April 12, 1967.  “More Stately Mansions”, a play by Eugene O’Neill was the inaugural production for Ahmanson Theatre.  Since then, Ahmanson theatre has staged several dramas, musicals and comedies. The Ahmanson also has co-produced a number of Broadway productions like Amadeus, Smokey Joe's Café, The Most Happy Fella and The Drowsy Chaperone

On the West Coast, the Ahmanson has the largest theatrical season-ticket subscription base.  With a seating capacity of 2,100, its year-round season starts early fall all the way through late summer. The Ahmanson presented the musical stage adaptation of Edward Scissorhands which wasdirected and choreographed by Matthew Bourne in December 2006.

The El Capitan Theater

The El Capitan owned by Pacific Theaters and operated by The Walt Disney Company is a movie palace at 6838 Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood.  Several  Walt Disney pictures movies are premiered here. Today, it is for sale for $31 million dollars.

The El Capitan Theatre was inaugurated in 1926 as "Hollywood's First Home of Spoken Drama”. For 10 years it staged live plays, with over 120 productions by 1936.  Due to the economic effects of the Depression, the El Capitan reduced their productions. Eventually, the theater closed for one year. After having been refurbished in the modeme style, the theatre reopened on March18, 1942 as the Hollywood Paramount Theater.

Its inaugural film presentation was Reap the Wild Wind, featuring Ray Milland, John Wayne, Paulette Goddard and Raymond Massey.

The Geffen Playhouse 

Built in 1929, the Geffen Playhouse is a non- profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. UCLA purchased the property in 1993. The theater was renamed in 1995 after media mogul David Geffen donated $5 million. This philanthropic donations was one of the largest ever made to an already constructed theater. 

The Geffen offers 5 plays per season on the main stage and 3-4 plays on the second stage. The theater is known for having well known film and television actors in their productions.

The Kodak Theatre 

Designed by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group, the Kodak theatre is a live theatre situated in Hollywood district of Los Angeles. Since its inception on November 9, 2001, the theatre has been the home of the annual Academy Awards Ceremonies popularly known as The Oscars. The first Oscar awards were held in March 2002. Since then, it has become the first permanent home for the awards.

With a seating capacity of 3,401 people, the stage at the theater is one of the largest in America measuring 113 feet wide by 60 feet deep. The Kodak Company has paid $75 million to the theater to have its name associated with the building. The theatre is owned by CIM Group and  sponsored by the Kodak Company, which paid $75 million to have its name associated with the building.

Right before the Oscars, the theatre is rented to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for weeks till the awards come to a conclusion.  Besides Oscars, the theatre hosts numerous live concerts, award shows and symphony performances.

The Pantages Theatre

Designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca, The Pantages Theatre is located at Hollywood and Vine in the U.S. The Pantages Theatre was the last theatre built for the impresario Alexander Pantages.

On June 4, 1930, the palatial Art Deco theatre opened as part of the Pantages Theatre Circuit.

The Pantages Theatre Circuit was built on Vaudeville. In 1932, Pantages sold the Hollywood landmark to Fox West Coast Theaters. Between 1949 and 1959, the theatre hosted the American motion picture industry's annual Academy Award Ceremonies.   

In the year 2000, the theater was refurbished and upgraded at a cost of 10 million dollars.

Rock concerts are usually held in the theatre. Bands like Dream Theater and Foo Fighters usually perform here.. In 1997, the celebrated Columbian singer-songwriter, Shakira performed her first show in U.S at the theater.

 Moreover, in the year 2006, Mexican pop-group RBD recorded their CD/DVD "Live in Hollywood" at the Pantages. The famous 1980 film The Jazz Singer’s concert scenes were also filmed here.