Geffen Playhouse

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

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Geffen Playhouse

Overview: The recipient of numerous architectural and preservation awards, the Geffen Playhouse stands as a beacon of art and culture in the Los Angeles stage space. The Geffen Playhouse is located at the southern base of the University of California Los Angeles in Westwood Village on Le Conte Ave. The location is ideal as you’ll find plenty of places to eat or drink before and after a show.

Stars, stars and more stars. The Geffen Playhouse packs them in both on the stage and in the audience. Past stars have been Carrie Fisher in her Wishful Drinking monologue, Alicia Silverstone and Neil Patrick Harris. The Geffen Playhouse isn’t slouching either in its 2009 – 2010 programming schedule. You’ll see Laurence Fishbourne, Annette Bening and Matthew Modine.

One of the first twelve structures in Westwood, the Geffen Playhouse was built in 1929 as a Masonic clubhouse to serve UCLA students and alumni. It has seen ownership changes and renovations but the latest came after music mogul David Geffen donated a $5 million (of the $17 million required) to start the theater’s renovation. It reopened in 2005 with a 500 seat main auditorium and the smaller Audrey Skirball Theater. The exterior of the playhouse remains classically old world as well as the quaint courtyard and fountain. The main stage has two levels, orchestra and mezzanine seating, but sound and visibility are good from anywhere you sit.

The Geffen Playhouse has a truly beautiful look and feel. It has received a number of awards, including the architectural Award of Excellence by the National Council of the Society of American Registered Architects and the 2006 Preservation Award by the Los Angeles Conservancy.

Location: 10886 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Site: www.geffenplayhouse.com
Email: boxoffice@geffenplayhouse.com
Ph: (310) 208-5454

Cost: Tickets are anywhere between $30 to $120 and are sold through Ticketmaster. Students

Parking: Westwood Plaza (924 Westwood Blvd), $7.00, Westwood Center (1100 Glendon Ave), $6.00, Grant Parking (1030 Gayley), $5.
Also note that there are parking meters on the street along Westwood Blvd, Broxton Ave, Gayley Ave and the side streets. There are handicap parking spots along the streets on Lindbrook Dr just east of Westwood Blvd and Gayley Ave.

Accessibility: The Geffen Playhouse has wheelchair seating available in both the main stage and the Audrey Skirball theater.

Getting There: www.ladottransit.com, www.metro.net