Geffen Playhouse — Attraction in Los Angeles

WORLD-CLASS THEATER.

LA is famous for movies, London, for theater.

And while London lives up to its reputation for world-class theater, LA has some world-class theater of its own. The top two are the Center Theater group at the Music Center and Kirk Douglas, and the Geffen Playhouse, in Westwood.

The venue is beautiful, a 1929 Spanish style building with a charming courtyard where you can have a drink before the show and during intermission.

The largest of the theaters is an intimate state-of-the-art auditorium with 512 seats. Even the balcony feels close and has good sightlines.

But even more than the venue, it's the quality of productions that makes this the theater lovers' theater.

I recently saw the World Premiere adaptation of "A Christmas Carol." You're probably thinking, "Oh, please, not another production of that weary old chestnut!"

But no, this stunning one-man show, featuring the truly astonishing Jefferson Mays, made it feel like the old story was brand new--and scary. May's energy borders on mystical, as he narrates and plays all the characters, jumping instantly from an all-too-human Scrooge, to an all-too-ghostly Marley. It's hard to believe one person can perform with such energy, exuberance, and heart for the 90 minutes of the show--much less that he can accomplish this magical feat almost every night (and four times on weekends!)

The direction, production design, lighting are all first-rate, stunning, beautiful, scary.

The ability to see this level of talent in a theater in Los Angeles is a true gift. As is the fact that seats are available for as little as $30.

The staff is all very friendly and helpful. And, last, but not least in LA, ample validated parking is only $4 under the Trader Joe's a block away.

If you love theater you'll...

A really beautiful venue with an amazing history (that most of the staff is aware of and willing to share) The Geffen playhouse actually houses two theatres. A large one, I’d guess seats about 500 and a smaller one with a capacity of around 100, both offer great opportunities for intimate theatrical experiences, of which I’ve enjoyed several.

My most recent experience was for the show “Power of Sail” starring Bryan Cranston. I was most impressed by the way the team here has really adapted to the ever changing Covid protocols and made it feel like a very safe (but still welcoming) environment. There was a whole team of staff members outside checking vax cards and IDs, and giving a brief rundown on the expectations for mask wearing, which is gently enforced by signs (posted and carried by some staff) during your visit. The process was was very efficient and well organized.

There is a really gorgeous patio with heaters and great atmosphere to enjoy your drinks and snacks from the bar, this outdoor area is the only place where masks are allowed to be removed.

Parking is fairly abundant nearby. There is a lot under the Chik-Fil-a (enter off Laconte just west of the playhouse) that is flat rate, or one at the nearby Trader Joe’s that the playhouse gives you validation for (cost is $5 with the discount) I usually arrive early, park at Trader Joe’s and enjoy a meal somewhere nearby before heading to the theatre, dinner and a show with just $5 spent on parking in Westwood is a great deal.

All around a great night of theatre that I...

This once prestigious playhouse has stooped to a troubling low point in terms of basic human decency. The playhouse supports a musical (originally marketed as a comedy of all genres) that exploits the memory of a brutally-murdered victim without any regard to the victim's family's re-traumatization. I will not name the specific production because it deserves no publicity, even bad publicity.

The Geffen Playhouse is aware of the emotional distress this production is causing and seemingly does not care. Emails are ignored. Phone calls are unreturned.

I encourage everyone who supports crime victims/victims of domestic violence to consider not attending future shows or making donations to this non-profit organization.

To me, theater, and the arts as a whole, is beautiful, thought-provoking, and certainly controversial at times. I fundamentally do not believe in censorship. This review is not attempting to argue whether or not the Geffen Playhouse CAN run this production, but rather whether it SHOULD. Any decent human who understands empathy and trauma should consider if a line must be drawn where artistic freedom gives way to basic decency. Why hurt innocent people that have already been hurt so much? Crime victims should never be exploited. Crime victims deserve a voice in how the memory of their loved ones are to be used. The Geffen Playhouse, as demonstrated by their actions, does not agree with these principles. It's quite sad because the playhouse has the capacity to bring so much joy rather than...