Love this theatre. There is never a bad seat in the house. Parking is easy and you can pay at the meter or online - how convenient!!! TIP: Ladies, go to the restroom BEFORE the performance instead of intermission. Trust me, the line moves quickly and there is plenty of time before the show. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat had a more contemporary story line. Great concept. Excellent cast, voices and choreography. Costuming and wigs were on point. Exiting the parking lot was very easy and in no time at all. Can't wait to return to this theatre again. Ok, bye. read more

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Why I will not be returning to the Carpenter's Center of the Performing Arts and to any Musical Theatre West Productions, or for that matter to any Live Theatre in SoCal. I will find other forms of entertainment. Before I tell the why of my first sentence. I want you to understand that for 22 years I had season tickets to a live theatre in Glendale till they went under due to Covid and owners' divorce. I've have seen a lot of live theatre what happened at the Carpenter Center is the last straw. Goodbye live theatre. First the Actors, Actress, and Musicians. Thank you for sharing your talents. As a person who can miss all the notes all the time, I truly appreciate your talents and abilities. I hold the Producers and Directors responsible for the Show. As for the Carpenter Center, Musical Theatre West, and other places and production companies. I'm done. When you advertise you are doing "Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" or any other production this is what I expect to see. If you are making a new adaption of the play, let everyone know before they spend their hard-earned money. This visual experience is part of the performance. Your new adaption was for the most part very poor. As my mother of 85 said, "I kept closing me eyes hoping it would change." I laughed, yet never having been to a "Chip and Dale" review it's the only thought that came to my mind to describe what was being presented. Last note Bruno Mars is not a King, sorry, a very disappointing part of the performance. You didn't want Elvis okay, then use a King... Michael Jackson, the king of pop or James Brown the king of Soul. I just love the Pharaoh as Evlis. read more

I was deeply disappointed by this production and will not be returning to the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts for Musical Theatre West productions. We attended expecting a presentation of the beautiful biblical story of Joseph. Instead, the production incorporated themes and creative choices that, in my opinion, dramatically changed the tone and message of the story. As someone who values the biblical account, I found those additions distracting and unnecessary. My concern is not with any individual or group of people, but with altering a cherished religious story in ways that many audience members may not expect. Unfortunately, this experience was not what we had anticipated, and we left disappointed. For that reason, we will not be returning to the Carpenter Center for future performances by Musical Theatre West. read more

Wow, such a great venue; it is very intimate with great acoustics. Parking was easy with plenty of spaces, and every seat has a great view. No food is allowed in the theater; however, you can BYOD and they have a small concession inside that sells wine and chips. We went to see Bilal, who was awesome; he performed for over an hour and still managed to do an encore performance. It was not overly crowded. The staff was super helpful and genuinely friendly. No matter what my question was, they did not seem irritated with the large number of people. Unfortunately, no pictures or video were allowed, and I respect the artist's request. But trust me, this place is amazing and worth it to see any events here. read more

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My family and I saw In The Heights tonight at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center and it was great! The performing arts center is beautiful. There's lots of parking, which is nice. You pay for parking by downloading an app. I think we paid $10. It was really cool to see the different displays of The Carpenter's grammy awards and musical instruments. They also had a bar and snacks open before the play and at intermission. The stairs in the theater are pretty steep and there's no elevator/escalator, so just be advised. The seats have spacious leg room, which is suuuuper helpful! We loved our experience here and will be back :) read more

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Attended a tribute band for The Eagles and it was so wonderful! The band was amazing and the venue totally packed. The ushers are always so friendly there and always helpful in finding your seats. The band did have a technical issue at the beginning which delayed things but they filled the time by sharing jokes. read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - First time seeing this band, so excited! - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Fantastic venue at CSULB. This is my second time here. Easy parking (pay parking lot and/or structure) or free street parking). Lovely and grand lobby filled with the Carpenter records and info plus upcoming events. The theater itself is very intimate, whether your seat front or the last row, you can see the stage or the performers clearly...you can see their facial expressions (depending your your eye signs that is - I got contacts). The room is nothing special but with the height, you felt you're in an arena. Well lite and audio is great. So glad that they have events (shows & performances) that I like to check out instead of going all the way to downtown LA. This is my second time here and love it especially when they have solo performances show. Just lovely. read more

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Great theater! This was my 2nd time watching a performance here and it was wonderful. The acoustics are perfect, the rows are nice and wide, the seats are comfortable, and it's very clean. The talent was been incredible! Both shows i've attended, we have sat 15-20 rows up and still felt very close. Perfect distance for busier sets. Parking is abundant and easy pay machines for quick payment. It's also very quick to get out of the parking area. I'm excited to see more products here! read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

Such an awesome and easily accessible theater. I don't know if there are any bad seats here. Parking is super simple at the university (we used lot G12, right there at the center) for about $10 on a Sunday evening. You can actually bring your drinks into the show here, which I'm not used to in other theaters. The staff is so sweet and helpful and they keep things running super efficiently during intermission so you're right back in your seat on time. Loved seeing In The Heights here. What a fabulous experience. We'll be back for sure! read more

They messed up whole Joseph's biblical story! The dance girls all dressed inappropriately, the men wearing skin tight short shorts! Sexualized Joseph. And then right after men coming out in short shorts, kids came up on stage! Kids don't need to be seeing a show so sexualized ! May God have mercy on you who use His name to call yourself His follower and yet do exactly the opposite He commands in the Bible! read more

Great venue. Love the cabaret series. Especially seeing David Burnhams! And hosting Musical Theatre West.

A great place to enjoy a play, concert or any other type of event. Just think it's here in Long Beach, you can see all the gold records from the #carpenters when they were a cool pop duo. Parking was 10.00 which can be paid through an app or can be paid at the venue by credit or debit card. Can't wait to see whats happening in the near future. read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

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Support local theaters. It's a great way to enjoy a fun night while knowing you are supporting your community theater and the arts. Thai place has always been an amazing theater for family fun. This Local theater has theatrical productions performed by community-based groups. These productions are typically staged showcases a wide range of performances, including plays, musicals, original works, and adaptations. They heavily rely on the participation of community members, both on stage and behind the scenes. This includes actors, directors, producers, set designers, and technical staff who are often volunteers or semi-professionals. They often present a variety of genres and styles, from classic plays and contemporary dramas to musicals and experimental works. This diversity allows for a wide range of creative expression and caters to different audience preferences. You won't be disappointed here. Ticket prices for for their productions are generally more affordable compared to larger, professional theater productions, making live theater more accessible to a broader audience. They are also offering educational programs for local schools through scholarships and involvement. read more

The staff working here were so nice. The seating is very comfortable and despite not having great seats our seats were great. Every seat has a perfect view of the stage. We saw Into The Woods last night and it was phenomenal. It was very easy to get in and out and I appreciate how smoothly everything ran. We loved walking around and seeing all The Carpenters memorabilia. We will back in October for Hello Dolly. read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Into The Woods - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

The lack of air filtration combined with the smell of old carpeting untenable. Sadly, we will not be returning.

The Carpenter Center will invariably have a program to appeal to a variety of tastes. Comedy monologist Marc Maron, with opening act Luke Shortz(?), provided much food for thought. Some inspired comedy, some tragic comedy, some disagreeable or dark performance. Even though a request is made to refrain from photographing, I see from previous site photos that this is routinely ignored, as it should be. I wish that I hadn't obeyed. Marc Maron was baring his soul as expressively as any stage of actors could, both in dialogue and gesture. After an lengthy hiatus, the Carpenter proves once again that it is a well run machine. Kudos to the staff for expert handling of an unexpected incident and to the volunteers for providing such cheerful welcome. I note here especially volunteer Teresa. My only complaint is true for other theaters also. Whatever made architects think eliminating the center aisle was a good thing? People whose seats are in the center will always arrive last. Count the times the excessively long row needs to get up to let them in. They frequently should enter at the opposite end of that row. I know the staff tries to reason with them but... . At performance end, exiting is similar to reaching ones subway stop in a mad rush to get out. Still given this goofy flaw, the theater is most beautifully designed and comfortable. One part of the evening's performance delivered by the opening act Luke Shortz(?, not in program notes) darkly involved grammar sticklers. I understood, I am one. read more

This is a wonderful venue to enjoy performance art! We enjoyed our first visit, seeing Jersey Boys, and marveled at the seating - great views of the stage from every location. The staff is helpful and friendly, parking ample and convenient. (Be warned that handicapped parking is not free but the $10 fee, for all cars, is very reasonable.) read more

When I was a student at Cal State Long Beach, I would always marvel at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center because it attracted so much talent. I looked forward to the day when I would be able to enjoy a performance there as an audience member. Since graduation, I have enjoyed performances here several times. Most enjoyable was the recent Mariachi performance in early November. In a more intimate setting, I was amazed at how the center was able to turn the stage into a sort of cabaret room where Lorna Luft performed. We were right up close and enjoyed a superb performance. I've purchased tickets to several of the upcoming shows in 2023 and anticipate more memorable performances. I recommend buying your parking pass online before the performance when you receive your email. This will save you so much time! Seats are comfortable and the staff is most gracious. I love the open spacious bathrooms too. A great experience all around. Enjoy your visit! read more

Been here a few times. It's pretty small so most seats are decent. Parking is fairly easy...paid parking lot is packed and getting out is an ordeal. There is definitely a mixed crowd- people dressed up for a night out and people who look like they just finished doing yard work. Come as you are, I guess. The productions are not like you'd see at the pantages or Amanson - I don't think the bigger touring groups stop here. It's a step above community theatre. The bar and concession area are lacking and priced way too high. If you're a seasoned theatre goer I'm not sure it's for you but it is a fun night out without the LA issues. read more

Musical Theatre West put on an excellent performance of Spamilton. It was hysterical. You probably should see Hamilton prior to seeing this performance and you should know the background of Lin Manuel Miranda and all of the musicals that have come before Hamilton. They pay tribute to the all in a way that will keep you laughing read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

Had a chance to see Bill Nye aka 'Bill Bye the Science Guy' at this venue. Located on the northern end of the Cal State Long Beach campus, I found it to be a very well-run, convenient and modern venue. Seemed like a medium-sized auditorium that had good vantage points from all areas. No balcony. Lots of Carpenters memorabilia in the lobby if you're in to that sort of thing. The Carpenters contributed so much to world, it was quite touching to see many personal items on display. If there is someone you're interested in seeing here, don't hesitate! Pro tip: it's best to purchase parking ahead of time in order to avoid lines at the kiosk. read more

Great venue! The Richard and Kerry Carpenter Performing Arts Center is located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. Very good regional theater. The Carpenter Center hosts a variety of performances from dance to comedy, musical theatre to individual musicians. Theater offers different plays and music offerings every year and the price of the shows is very reasonable considering the quality of the presentations. The theater itself is open and spacious. The place is large to host theatre crowds, but small enough to feel intimate. Not a bad seat in the theater. The interior of the performance hall is well lit and spacious. The seats are comfortable, plenty of leg room. The seats on the floor go from one side to the other, so other patrons do have to pass by. Everyone is very pleasant, including the event staff. Volunteers are there to help you find your seats and they are helpful and friendly. In the lobby of the theater is a museum of the Carpenter's memorabilia. A local company, Musical Theater West, makes its home here. The Carpenter Center has angel groups that support new actors with scholarships and music programs for young children to learn to play and perform as well. PROS + acoustics are excellent + excellent staging + high quality performers CONS - no center aisle for seating - bar/ snack area needs to have greater variety - snack bar area needs to be bigger to accommodate the crowds Easy access from to/from the freeway. Easy parking - $10, cash only. TIP: If you are a theater enthusiast, you may consider joining this theater by buying season tickets. Note: There are plenty of restaurants nearby for after the show. read more

super organized venue. I recommend arriving early and be prepared for long bathroom lines that go pretty quickly because the staff is very efficient. read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

Named after former students Richard and Karen Carpenter, the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts is a jewel of a theater located on the campus of CSULB. The architecture is modern, clean and tastefully designed, the seats and aisles are comfortably spaced and there is a bar available before shows. Friendly staff, too. Parking is $8.00 and is available directly in front of the center, but it can take some time getting in due to having to pay the attendant. The highlight for me was the exhibits of Carpenters memorabilia on display in the front lobby area. The exhibits include Karen's drum set and "Lead Sister" shirt and one of Richard's keyboards. Also on display, are their Grammy Awards, and People's Choice Award, as well as, awards for Carpenters Gold and Platinum records. This was my first time at the Carpenter Center. I was there tonight with some friends to see the usually hilarious Sandra Bernhard, however, she was fighting a case of laryngitis and much of her humor was lost in translation because you could not sense the sarcasm that comes along with her story telling and jokes. It was a little disappointing, but I appreciate her giving her professional best under the circumstances. We did have great seats, although, I don't think that there are any bad ones in this venue. I am looking forward to going back, and I recommend that you enjoy a great show there sometime. Their seasons are packed full of many diverse entertainment options. read more

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I come here often / regularly for the Musical Theatre West shows. I am a season subscriber. Sometimes I come for other stuff. (I have been for the caberet shows.) Love the Carpenter Center! Not a bad seat in the house! And, such quality talent and productions. Highly recommend!! read more

We love theater and have been to the Carpenter Center on three different occasions. We have been lucky each time and snagged a street parking spot right out front however they do offer parking for around $5 (cash). We have seen Ira Glass, George Takei, and Lily Tomlin. Each time is its own unique experience. We love coming here because each time we get tickets for an event we get them based on a name we like and then always think "I have no idea what this is going to be about." They are not your usual theater performances but are always entertaining or insightful. They do serve beer, wine, and snacks that are allowed in the theater. The only con I would have to say is that there is no middle aile which means if you're not close to the end then you have to walk in front of several people to get in and out. read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - George Takei! They have the best shows and talks here! - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

The Theater: Mid size theater, every seat is good seat. Great sound system. All the ushers are very friendly and helpful. They all look like volunteers. Lobby has pictures, items and story about the Carpenter. They also sell drinks and snacks. Very well maintained theater. The Show: Singing in The Rain. What a classic musical~ Excellent production!! Many hits songs. All the performers have beautiful voice. Very impressive how they bring the "rain" to the stage!! Highly recommended show~ Perfect show for the family outing! The Parking: Big parking lot (fee) and street parking (2 hours free) read more

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Watched Mary Poppins last Sunday. What a show! Better than movie. We all loved it. read more

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Carpenter Performing Arts Center located at Cal State Long Beach, next to the famous blue pyramid. I came by this performing arts center with my husband last Saturday evening for Ji: A Common Pulse with San Jose Taiko x Bangerz (Japanese drums concert mixed with hip hop music, spun by the talented Bangerz DJ group). I purchased my tickets for this event early on goldstar.com and sat in row C, seats 18 & 19 (which was pretty close to the stage). The sound of the music was amazing, but being so close, audience members were offered ear plugs. The padding on the seats were cushy for the most part. I also liked that I was able to walk through the aisle without stepping on a person's foot as I passed through. So the leg room is not cramped at all. Restrooms for women is located on one side in the lobby area and the men restrooms are located on the opposite side. The women's restroom was clean upon this visit, with plenty of stalls. There is free WiFi here, through the university. If you are not a student or employee of CSULB, you can sign up for a one day (a full 24 hours) free WiFi account with password. As for the parking situation, there is a lot you can park at in front of the performing art center (but a fee that ranges from $5-$10). But we were lucky to find street parking along Atherton Street (20 minutes before our 8 pm show, there were still some parking spots left). With a small theater, this is a nice place to catch a show. Tickets in generally are pretty affordable (even if you don't go through goldstar.com). They offer a variety of shows here, so be sure to check on their website periodically. read more

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Love this theatre. Who knew that Cal State Long Beach had such a fabulous theatre venue and series of entertainment? The Carpenter Center is a great place to see just about any of the arts. I think I first discovered this place a few years back. I came to see a theatrical show - a musical, and haven't looked back. They have great shows here! From music (e.g., symphony, etc.), ballets... Parking is plentiful and $5. The docents are plentiful, older, and nice. Will call always has a long line for entrance, but they hold the show for you! Also, they tend to decorate based on the season. And there are always community vendors inside the lobby. Again a great place to see performing arts! read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Parking - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

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To my surprise, this theatre is named after the beloved duo Richard and Karen Carpenter. Inside the theatre are memorabilia of the pair: Karen's drum set, Richard's piano with a music score of Close to You all marked up and numerous awards on the wall. Seating in this theatre is ideal in that there are no bad seats in the house. While sitting in Row T, I could see everything quite clearly. Today's new production of Yankee Doodle Dandy showcases the life of George M. Cohan and his famous music like "Over There", "Give My Regards to Broadway", and "You're a Grand Old Flag" to name a few. As a person who regularly attends performances in NYC, I was IMPRESSED with this cast especially Adam Wylie who played the role of Young George. Not only did he tap dance and sing, but he also performed back hand springs. Wow! Although there are plenty of parking spaces at this venue, paying the $9 fee is awkward in that there is a single line from the street entrance which causes a traffic jam on the street. Moreover, drivers making a left hand turn into the parking lot are thwarted by those making a right hand turn. Thus, allow plenty of time to park. read more

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Haven't been to many performing art centers but his place was nicer than my expectations!! My friends and I watched "the Sister Act" here this past weekend and it was amazing! Pros: large center with very comfortable chairs.. Honestly better than bigger Broadway performing centers! The chairs alone made me want to watch another show here! The space for the legs were larger so when people walk by you... It's not too cramped ( believe me , this is very annoying when the space for the legs are tight) Cons: the way it's seated was straight rows of chairs... With no middle divider ... Therefore if you are sitting smack in the middle, you have to walk through and over and past many people to get to your seats... It's not a problem if you arrive early and sit at your seats... But there are always those few that come in a bit later and walk past everyone... read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Pretty spacious stage and good view from seat - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

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I was surprised at how beautiful this building is! I don't know if this was here when I got my grad degree, if I just never really came to this side of campus, or if it just looks more spectacular at night, but it's pretty breathtaking. I saw some random advertisement for Momix, some weird visual performance thing. My life has felt somewhat bland recently, so I thought it would be interesting to do something out of the norm. When I went to buy tickets, there was a deal to get a three-pack with two other performances. I impulsively thought that was a good idea and went with that plan. I fell asleep during the show and missed most of it. I thought it was underwhelming and had dismal musical choices. This makes me worried about the other two upcoming performances, but that's life, I guess. The theater itself was comfortable. My only gripes would be with the ticket handling and the seating. We arrived with maybe five minutes to spare. Someone started yelling at everyone to hurry up and get inside, because they were going to start on time and we'd be locked out of the performance. I got rather stressed by this, and the girl at the door had to "log in" to a separate system to scan my online tickets. She was having trouble and it took a long time. I thought we were going to miss our entry. It didn't look like the girl at the other door was having this issue, however. Yet, upon being seated, the performance started at least 15 minutes late. I really didn't need the stress of rushing if they weren't really going to start on time. The second issue stems from the fact that the rows aren't divided. Upon being built, they should have but in a center aisle, since it's quite a long distance for people to travel if they're in the center and want to exit during the intermission or for any other reason. We sat towards the end of our row, but this was even more annoying, because everyone kept passing back and forth. If you don't anticipate getting up for snacks or to use the restroom, it's probably better to choose a seat towards the center so you are not constantly inconvenienced by everyone else getting up and moving around. read more

I have been here six or seven times now and have yet to see the main concert hall. My wife got season tickets to performances in the backstage area for much smaller crowds. They set up a buffet dinner, two bars and really seem to cater to a very old clientele, possibly from a local senior community. The performances have been quite good and a few of the acts could probably sell out the much larger main theater. The staff is always very kind and efficient. Parking is easy, too, even on school days. Great sound and a nice, small town vibe in the back of the house. read more

We enjoyed watching the musical play White Christmas here at the Carpenter Center, our first time here. Our seats were about halfway back - in row M - and the we had a good view of the whole stage. The seats are roomy with plenty of legroom, and the sound system is very good. The rows rise up at a good angle so you don't have anyone in front of you blocking the view. There didn't seem to be a bad seat in the house -- we plan to be back! Update: We came back to see the musical Guys and Dolls and sat in row K. Another wonderful experience at this pleasant venue! read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - View from row M, seat 27 - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

The Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach is a cultural treasure! Spectacular shows, comfortable seating, and a world-class experience every time. read more

This is one of my favorite concert venues. As a child my company held yearly recitals here. As an adult I've come here every Christmas for the Charlie Brown Christmas concert. It's a highlight of the season for us. I very much look forward to attending it again this year. The venue is spacious and the lobby is beautiful. read more

Solid 4 stars for Carpenter Performing Arts Center! Easy to find. Plenty of parking ($5) Comfy seats (a little bit squeaky) Decent size theater and stage, not a bad view from any seat. Ticket prices are also fairly average I watched Annie, and it was really good. It's been a long time since I've watched the movie, and I forget how many great songs are in the musical. The kids who performed were great and the lady who played Ms.Hannigan was the same girl who played Annie in the original broadway musical! I would definitely give 5 stars for the performance. That evening there was such a wide range of people in attendance. For the most part there were lots of elderly people, maybe with season seats. But since it was Annie, there were also lots of little ones....which means lots of annoying questions asked out loud (little one sitting behind us) I am so not ready for kids at this moment, since they tend to annoy me more than anything! Anyways...I will definitely be returning...hopefully to watch Pink Floyd Laser Show next year in May!! read more

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I've been to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center a number of times over the years, mostly for productions put on by Musical Theater West. This 1074 seat theater has been around since 1994 and honestly, there is NOT a bad seat in the house! It has a great layout, comfortable seats, easy access, a good sound system and headsets are available for those who need a little extra volume. I like everything about this theater. This evenings performance was Monte Pythons Spamalot! It was a top notch production too! It was a lot of fun and everyone had some great laughs! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/03Wxewy211WY-HIer90tEw?select=Mj4QkGm7kbtAZa895Ax5Pg#Mj4QkGm7kbtAZa895Ax5Pg As most everyone else has said, they have ample parking @ $5 per car. Yes when the performance is over the parking lot turns into a big cluster... but please tell me what other theater does not suffer from this same problem. Overall it's a really great, mid-sized theater that's local. 4.5 stars rounded up! read more

Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Performing Arts Near Me - Long Beach, California

Oh CSULB you surprised me..I never thought a nice performing arts center would be in the city of Long Beach. This place blew me away. The parking was cheap, around $5.00. The outside of the building was nice and looked quite new. The inside felt amazing. I was so happy and the group of six we were watching Swan Lake by the Los Angeles Ballet. An amazing show none the less and all around this specific area we had a variety of choices for food. A lot of happy staff members and the bathrooms were amazingly clean. I can't really complain about anything. Our seats were great and for the price they were literally almost front row. The only one thing I would say that is a pain is trying to exit was a little bit on the slow side. But almost any big crowd of people will has those issues. I do recommend going and seeing some sort of event here! Can't wait to go back. read more