California (Los Angeles Area)
Theaters

Classical music, opera and dance

Considering its size and stature in the other arts, LA has very few outlets for classical music. The Los Angeles Philharmonic (tel 213/850-2000), the city’s only major name, performs regularly during the year, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (tel 213/622-7001) appears at assorted venues. San Francisco has more of an opera scene, although LA’s Music Center Opera (tel 213/972-7211) stages productions between September and June, as does Orange County’s Opera Pacific (tel 949/474-4488, based in distant Irvine), which performs both grand opera and operettas. Prices range from $10 to $120.
The last twenty years or so have seen an increase in dance activity in LA, with major ballet companies like the Joffrey Ballet (tel 213/563-3739) relocating on the West Coast after making their name in New York, accompanied by the growth of a number of small modern ensembles and regular visits by international companies.
  • The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, in the Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave, downtown (tel 323/972-7211 or 972-7460). Home to the LA Philharmonic from Oct until May. Also used by the Joffrey Ballet, the Music Center Opera and other top names.
  • The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave, Hollywood (tel 323/850-2000). The LA Philharmonic gives open-air concerts Tues–Sat evenings from July to Sept.
  • Japan America Theatre, 244 S San Pedro St, downtown (tel 323/680-3700). Dance and performance works drawn from Japan and the Far East.
  • John Anson Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd (tel 323/461-3673). As well as the summer “Dance Kaleidoscope,” this open-air venue also has one-off productions by local groups.
  • Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa (tel 714/556-ARTS). Home of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
  • The Pacific Amphitheater, 100 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa (tel 310/740-2000). A big open-air venue, Orange County’s answer to the Hollywood Bowl.
  • Royce Hall, on the UCLA campus (tel 310/825-9261 or 825-2101). Classical concerts throughout the college year, often involving big names.
  • The Shrine Auditorium, 665 W Jefferson Blvd (tel 213/749-5123), box office at 655 S Hill St (tel 213/749-5123). A distinctive building that hosts regular performances by choral gospel groups and alternate Academy Awards ceremonies.
  • UCLA Center for the Performing Arts (tel 310/825-4401). Coordinates a wide range of touring companies, and also runs the experimentally inclined “Art of Dance” series between Sept and May.

Contemperary Performances
We’ve listed a few selections from LA’s very active (and very changeable) theater scene; Theatrix (tel 323/466-1767) handles reservations and provides details on what’s playing at several of the smaller venues. The LA Weekly and the LA Times “Calendar” section both have full listings and reviews.
  • Coronet Theater, 368 N La Cienega Blvd (tel 310/657-7377). Home of the LA Public Theater; productions include the odd famous name. Also home to the Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts.
  • Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave, Westwood (tel 310/208-5454). Small theater across from UCLA with frequent one-person shows.
  • Mark Taper Forum, 135 N Grand Ave, downtown (tel 323/972-0700). Theater in the three-quarter round, frequently putting on innovative new plays.
  • Powerhouse Theater, 3116 2nd St, Santa Monica (tel 310/396-3680). Experimental shows.
  • Shubert Theater, 2020 Avenue of the Stars, Century City (tel 1-800/447-7400). The only good thing about Century City is that you can come here to ogle the razzmatazz musicals.