GREEK THEATRE
2700 North Vermont, in Griffith Park
Los Angeles,
CA 90027
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tickets for all events at the Greek Theatre.
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Live
music under the stars
in the heart of Los Angeles.
The
Greek Theatre, Los Angeles’ premiere outdoor
theatre, is nestled in the picturesque tree-enclosed
setting of Griffith Park. This award-winning theatre
is one of Los Angeles' most historic entertainment
venues and has played host to some of the biggest
names in entertainment, from pop to classical, reggae
to
rock. The 74-year-old Los Angeles Greek Theater offers entertainment
to every segment of the population. Recent seasons
have featured performances by a wide variety of artists
such as Sting, Alicia Keys, Pearl Jam, Jose Carerras,
Marc Anthony, Tina Turner, Elton John, Santana, Alabina,
The Gipsy Kings, the Russian National Ballet, Paul
Simon with a special guest appearance by Sir Paul
McCartney, just to name a few.
This 6,162-seat venue offers an intimate concert setting,
with state-of-the-art acoustics combined with excellent
site lines. The Greek Theatre offers top quality Greek Theater tickets entertainment
under the stars in the heart of Los Angeles.
The
Los Angeles Greek Theatre is owned by the City of Los Angeles,
and is managed, operated and promoted
by Nederlander-Greek
Inc. During Nederlander’s 26 years at the Greek
Theatre, it has become a world-renowned, award-winning
amphitheatre hosting over 1300 events, making it one
of the cultural icons of the city. In 2001 the Greek
Theatre was awarded the prestigious Best Small Outdoor
Venue award for the second consecutive year, by Pollstar
Magazine, the industries leading trade publication.
Directions to the Greek Theater:
The Greek Theatre is located at:
2700 North Vermont, in Griffith Park
Los Angeles
California 90027.
From Beach Cities and South Bay
Take the San Diego Freeway (405) North to the Santa Monica Freeway (10) East to the Vermont Avenue exit, left on Vermont, which leads into Griffith Park.
From Pasadena
Take the Pasadena Freeway (110) South to the Hollywood Freeway (101) North to the Vermont Avenue exit, right on Vermont and follow it into the park.
From the San Fernando Valley
Take the Hollywood Freeway (101) South to the Vine Street exit. Go straight under the underpass and you will be going East on Franklin. Turn left on Western and follow it around as it becomes Los Feliz. Turn left on Vermont and follow it into the park.
From Orange County
Take the Santa Ana Freeway (5) North to the 101 branch, to the Vermont Avenue exit, right on Vermont and follow it into the park.
Valet Parking is available for $40.00 and you can reserve in advance of the show by calling (323) 665-5857. Reservations, and payment by American Express, Visa or Mastercard, are available from 10:00AM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the night of show, subject to availability.
General Parking Information
There is ample parking available all around
the venue for $10.
However, be aware that it is stacked parking.
Equal Access Parking
Accessible parking is available against the blue curb located directly above and below the theatre on Vermont. Show your placard and the parking staff will assist you. If the blue curb parking becomes full, you will be directed into the VIP lot or to a secondary lot off Commonwealth where spaces will be available at the regular parking rate.
Greek Theater History Built
in 1929, the history of the Greek Theatre dates as far back as
1882. That's when Griffith J. Griffith, who came to America as
a penniless boy from Glamorganshire, South Wales and made his
fortune in gold mining speculation, settled in Los Angeles. Griffith
purchased the Los Feliz Rancho, four thousand acres of fine land
northeast of the city and settled into the life of a farmer and
family man, growing ever fonder of his adopted town. It was during
this period that he wrote "Sometimes I ask myself, what
have
I done to perpetuate the prosperity of my city?"
During Christmas week of 1896, Griffith appeared before the Los
Angeles City Council to make a present to the city -- three thousand
acres of his Los Feliz Rancho to be used as a park. The enormous
gift, equal to five square miles, was to be given to the city
unconditionally -- or almost so. "It must be made a place
of recreation and rest for the masses, a resort for the rank and
file, for the plain people," he said. "I consider it
my obligation to make Los Angeles a happier, cleaner and finer
city. I wish to pay my debt of duty in this way to the community
in which I have prospered.
The
land remained in its natural state for 16 years, a public park
without rival in the world. But still, Griffith was not satisfied
that he had fully "paid [his] debt of duty," and, accordingly,
he reappeared before the City Council in 1912, again during Christmas
week, with another gift in hand -- $100,000 for the construction
of an observatory within the park. It was an idea whose time
had
not yet come, however, and the Council declined Griffith's offer.
When he died in 1919, it was discovered that his will contained
instructions to set up a trust fund of $1,000,000 for the construction
of the observatory and also for a Greek Theatre, where residents
of the city he loved, could come for the best entertainment in
the world.
The
site was selected almost
immediately after Ellen Beach Yaw, a noted local soprano, demonstrated
the wonderful natural acoustics of the park's natural canyon.
But complications in settling Griffith's estate delayed the actual
construction nearly a decade. The design for the building, prepared
by the Board of Park Commissioners after an extensive survey of
Greek theatres, incorporated a number of improvements and modernizations
on the standard Greek Theatre plan, including a massive underground
garage. The cornerstone was laid in late 1928, and the building
was officially dedicated September 25, 1930.
That
ceremony was an appropriate taste of things to come, combining
the finest in classical (including Ms. Yaw) and contemporary
music,
an Indian episode and an excerpt from Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.
Unfortunately,
for almost a quarter of a century, the Greek Theatre was not
used
to its fullest capacity. During the 1930s, it was used only a
handful of nights each season. During most of the 1940s it operated
even less often -- and was used as a barracks during World War
II.
The
first systematic use of the Greek came when it was already more
than 18 years old. A San Francisco-based theatrical producer
had
the idea of bringing legitimate stage shows, including Showboat
and Anything Goes, down for two-week engagements throughout the
summer.
In
the 1950s, Los Angeles showman James Doolittle saw potential
in
the crumbling theatre and set out to make his dream a reality.
The $1,000 Doolittle paid for the lease was only the start of
funds he was to pump back into the Greek. He redesigned the theatre,
changing the house and backstage equipment so it could compete
with other 1950s theatres.
In
1975, the management of the Greek passed over to the James
M. Nederlander Companies whose other open-air theatres across
the country provided the wealth of expertise needed for again
modernizing the Greek. The Nederlanders repaired, renovated and
rejuvenated the theatre with their philosophy of providing "something
for everyone." By mobilizing their nation-wide network of
talent buyers and offering a broad base of attractions -- from
contemporary to classical artists -- the Nederlanders have been
able to fulfill Griffith J. Griffith's original dream of offering
Los Angeles the best entertainment in the world. In 1983, the
Nederlanders took the Greek Theatre one more step into the future
by expanding the seating capacity to 6,187. A 1995 earthquake
retrofit brought the capacity to its present 6,162.
The
Greek Theatre, under the direction of the Nederlanders, has made
a great impact on Angelenos and has become a continuing source
of excellent income for the City of Los Angeles. In addition
to
hosting legendary musical performances too numerous to mention,
the Greek Theatre has served as the site of dozens of school
graduations
and as a backdrop for many TV shows and motion pictures.
Greek Theatre,Greek Theatre Los Angeles, Greek Theatre LA are used for description purposes only. We are not affiliated with the Greek Theatre in any way.