Pantages Theatre

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Pantages Theatre

Overview: The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood is one of the most decorated, coolest and culturally rich live performance theaters in Los Angeles. The beautiful Pantages Theatre is located towards the east end of the popular area of Hollywood – just east of Vine St (and, by the way, the intersection of Vine St and Hollywood Blvd is one of the most popular intersections of Los Angeles).

Opened in 1930 by Alexander Pantages, the historic Pantages Theatre was a orignally one of Los Angeles’ most popular movie palaces. It’s changed hands several times (Fox theaters, then Howard Hughes’ RKO and finally the Nederlander Organization) and evolved its programming and function over the years. Originally its fare included movies as well as featured vaudeville acts. Then, the Pantages brought huge names. You may be familiar with A Star is Born and Cleopatra. In the 1950s, the Academy Awards were held at the Pantages Theatre, bestowing the Pantages a nod and recognition from the elite of Hollywood. From 1977 to the present day, the Pantages Theatre has been one of Los Angeles’ highest grossing live performance theatres with big named productions include Lion King, a production for which the Pantages underwent major renovation, Phantom of the Opera, Rent and Wicked. (I have even seen the Foo Fighters frontman, Dave Grohl, in an acoustic setting at the Pantages Theatre).

Nothing says art deco like the Pantages Theatre. From the outset, you will notice the detail of the building’s spire just behind the famous Pantages marquee. Inside is a grand lobby with classic art deco chandeliers, elegant staircase which leads to the balcony, sweeping ceiling with highly ornate arches and star burst designs. A couple of stands are set up, selling snacks and drinks and merchandise of production going on for the period.

The stage hall sits almost 2700 people on the ground floor (orchestra) and the balcony. Surprisingly, visibility and audio of the stage from the back and even the wheelchair seat sections on the sides are fairly good. (The Pantages is not an intimate setting though) The stage, the curtains and all the elaborate decor in the hall are beautiful and magnificent.

Location: 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Site: www.broadwayla.org
Ph: (323) 468-1770

Cost: $25 – $100. Drinks costs about $5.
The Pantages Ticket Office is located in the lobby and opens at 10am daily.

Parking: There are metered parking spots on the street as well as several parking lots surrounding the Pantages Theatre. Costs range from $8 – $15. The Pantages’ authorized parking lots are facilitated by Sunshine Parking to the east side of the theatre.

Accessibility: A couple of options exist for wheelchair seating: the side balconies where there are spaces for wheelchairs and removable, cushioned chairs and there are the regular fixed seats where the general public sit. Some of these chairs on the aisles are marked with the handicap symbol and the arms can flip up so you can transfer into the seat.

The Pantages has a dedicated box office staff who sells tickets for the disabled. You can call them directly and make arrangements with the staff. You can purchase two tickets anywhere in the theatre for the lowest cost, $25/ticket. Wheelchair seating in the Pantages is restricted to the sides of the orchestra section (ground floor). Make sure you don’t have a seat with a column is in front of you! The Pantages also provides free hearing devices.

Note: The aisles in the Pantages are steep so if you have a hard time with steep descenions or ascensions, you may be better off sitting in the side sections of the theater.

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