10 Best Places for Live Theater in California!

California is home to some of the best performance artists in the world, with some serious top-tier productions happening at local theaters year-round. The Golden State offers a variety of opportunities to see live theater, from community efforts to major productions. Check out some of the best places to catch a show in the state!

The Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

The Music Center includes several different venues throughout the city, the best known of which are in Downtown L.A.: The Ahmanson, The Mark Taper, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Walt Disney Concert Hall and showcase famous plays with stars as well as Broadway, operas, classical music and more.

The Geffen, Los Angeles, CA

Across the street from UCLA, The Geffen is an intimate theater that often features stars as well as local talent in plays that vary in content. The bustling theater is popular with season ticket holders and also has various educational events and other programs.

Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena, CA

The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic theater with a rich history, both architecturally and culturally. The small theater puts on major productions with everyone from Hollywood luminaries to local talent. Plays both large and small come to life in the small theater with California culture.

Los Angeles Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Theatre Center offers spaces for diverse and cultural events and plays so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy life theater and performances. Currently under the curation of The Latino Theater Company, there are a variety of plays and events held each season.

La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, CA

The La Jolla Playhouse offers the opportunity to enjoy live theater in a variety of venues. Many plays have won awards, gone on to Broadway and furthered cultural discussions. La Jolla Playhouse is dedicated to producing a variety of groundbreaking work and using community outreach and audience engagement methods.

San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA

The San Diego Civic Theatre is comprised of two venues: The historic Balboa Theater and the Civic Theatre, which offers a variety of music, dance and Broadway shows to audiences. The upcoming season features Broadway’s best hits, including Hamilton.

Orpheum Theatre, San Francisco, CA

Since the 1920s, The Orpheum has been showcasing Broadway and pre-Broadway plays. Original Broadway casts and touring companies have tread the boards at The Orpheum presenting great works and musicals.

Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, CA

The Golden Gate Theater has a rich history from its early days of the 1920s as a vaudeville theater to a movie house and then to a performing arts venue. The Golden Gate showcases Broadway classics and new hits and features the occasional film or television star in the cast.

American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, CA

The American Conservatory Theater is a non-profit theater that has actor training and other programs that further the art of live theater. Catch off-Broadway performances from today’s leading playwrights and other shows of interest.

Berkeley Repertory Theater, Berkeley, CA

The Berkeley Repertory Theater offers two stages for live performances and is the first resident professional theater in the area. Modern classics and Tony-award winning shows are often featured, as are plays that eventually end up on Broadway.

The Music Center includes several different venues throughout the city, the best known of which are in Downtown L.A.: The Ahmanson, The Mark Taper, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Walt Disney Concert Hall and showcase famous plays with stars as well as Broadway, operas, classical music and more.

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315 Yreka Street, Yreka, CA
Siskiyou County is the northernmost county of California, bordering on Oregon. It is a mountainous, rural community, with the main industries based... Read More
37022 Main Street, Burney, CA
About Us : George and Stella Tyler built the Mt. Burney Theatre in 1940 and its single screen has been providing entertainment to the Intermount... Read More
1731 Market Street, Redding, CA
 About Us: The Cascade Theatre was constructed in downtown Redding in 1935 as a 1,348-seat movie palace and vaudeville stage. One of the few ... Read More
1950 California Street, Redding, CA
About us :Riverfront Playhouse was created in 1981 by a few local theatre lovers with the vision of providing a community theatre for the Redding a... Read More
333 Oak Street, Red Bluff, CA
State Theatre for the Arts is a non-profit organization which relies on the public for donations to support the mission and vision of this historic... Read More
166-F Eaton Road, Chico, CA
Mission Statement Chico Theater Company (CTC) provides theatrical awareness to our community and shares the benefits of the performing arts. CTC ... Read More
139 West First Street, Chico, CA
Mission StatementThe Blue Room Theatre practices a deliberate approach to artistic education and production. We start with community outreach, dram... Read More
351 East 6th Street, Chico, CA
The Pageant Theatre can be rented for private screenings, business meetings and other functions such as birthday parties. We ha... Read More
3735 Neal Road, Paradise, CA
Mission Statement: To encourage and assist in the development of skills in, and appreciation for, the performing arts, and to contribute to t... Read More
P.O. Box 806, Bayside, CA
Shake the Bard is a non-profit theatre company based out of Arcata, California. With feet firmly planted in the past, and eyes on the future, we se... Read More
1482 Buttermilk Lane, Arcata, CA
Mission : The Mission of the Humboldt Light Opera company is twofold : - To provide artistic opportunities for local singer, actors, instrum... Read More
1251 9th Street, Arcata, CA
Since 2006 the Arcata Playhouse and Playhouse Arts have established themselves as vital contributors to the cultural livelihood of Arcata and Humbo... Read More
1740 Bird Street, Oroville, CA
The Birdcage Theatre is entering its 27th season. Tickets are the best deal in town at $10.00 and $5.00 for preteens. (Musicals not included) Visit... Read More
1740 Bird Street, Oroville, CA
Mission: The primary purpose for which this corporation was formed is: To encourage and assist in the development of skills in, and appreciatio... Read More
1740 Bird Street, Oroville, CA
Mission : The primary purpose for which this corporation was formed is: To encourage and assist in the development of skills in, and appreciation f... Read More
412 G Street, Eureka, CA
The Arkley Center for the Performing Arts is another fine example in the enthusiastic support to the arts and community development shown by Rob an... Read More
612 F Street, Eureka, CA
Mission:The Eureka Concert & Film Center is dedicated to the education of the general public in film, theatre, music and other art forms, rehab... Read More
220 1st Street, Eureka, CA
Vision StatementRedwood Curtain’s vision is to produce professional theatre of consistently extraordinary quality, creating a draw for the Ar... Read More
300 Fifth Street, Eureka, CA
About THREE DECADES OF SERVICE NCRT currently produces six main stage productions per year as well as a variety of second stage performances. The... Read More
447 Main Street, Ferndale, CA
Mission Our mission is to provide quality live entertainment that engages, educates and excites. History The Ferndale Repertory Theatre is the... Read More
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