Theater

Even with all the hoopla over film in L.A. [1], there’s still plenty of room for live theatrical entertainment in and around Tinseltown.

The Kodak Theater (6801 Hollywood Blvd., 323/308-6300, www.kodaktheatre.com [2]) has as its most notable annual event the Academy Awards, often called The Oscars. But for the rest of the year, the Kodak hosts live shows of various types. Many other awards shows make their homes here, and the stage is often graced by major performers such as Eddie Izzard and Ricky Gervais. Also look for classical music concerts and vocal music performances.

Some theatergoers prefer outdoor entertainment to indoor, and the Ford Theater (2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., 323/461-3673, www.fordamphitheater.org [3]) certainly takes advantage of Hollywood [4]’s temperate climate to bring the shows outdoors. Every sort of theatrical event imaginable can find a stage at the Ford, from classical ballet to experimental theater to post-modern circus acts. Lots of musical acts play the Ford—think jazz, folk, world music, and beyond. Children’s shows come to the Ford, and the theater even puts up the occasional film-based multimedia production. Check the monthly events calendar to see what’s up during your visit.

The Ahmanson Theater (135 N. Grand Ave., 213/628-2772, www.centertheatregroup.org [5], $86–220) specializes in big Broadway-style productions. You might see a grandiose musical, heart-wrenching drama, or gut-busting comedy here. Expect to find the names of many familiar shows on the annual schedule, from A Chorus Line to Death of a Salesman to Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? With hundreds of seats (all of them expensive), there’s usually enough room to provide entertainment even for the most last-minute of visitors.