The Mark Taper Forum is a great intimate venue! Its circular layout is unique and allows for shows like Here Lies Love to include immersive elements seamlessly. The seats were comfortable and it seemed like there were no bad seats in the house. It has kind of a floor section plus 1 level. The sound was pretty good. The lobby area is small, so it's not a place to linger. The restrooms are downstairs. They were very clean and I thought it was a nice touch that they were also a circular layout. The outdoor area is nice - there are limited options around for food and drinks, but there is also an open seating area. My friends and I brought our own food and ate there before going in. Parking in the Music Center Garage was $10 cash, paid when entering to park. It's a large underground parking garage with plenty of spaces, but I got there a couple hours early and still had to go to P6. I would recommend anticipating a little extra time for parking. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Here Lies Love stage - April 2026 - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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First time at Mark Taper and I was pleasantly surprised. I don't think there's a bad seat in this place. I really liked the seats that my brother got for us. First of all, finding parking is a breeze because it's so convenient. The area to get our tickets was actually quite small so that was kind of shocking. The concession stand was also quite small so don't dilly dally and hold up the line. Expensive of course, but what else is new. The take to buy souvenirs is also small and they ran out of magnets quickly. Would I come back? Most definitely. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Very cool theater-in-the-round type of venue, offering clear views from every seat. Valet parking is $43. Clean, sleekly designed restrooms, complete with mirrored disco ball columns flanking the entry. I travelled just to see Here Lies Love - I was so bummed when the production closed up shop in NY a few years back. When I heard it was coming to LA, I booked my flight before I even got my show tickets lol read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

When the Mark Taper Forum reopened in late 2024 it's done so not only with a magnificent redo but also with a slate of powerful, meaningful and moving pieces of performance much needed for the LA landscape and representative of the wonderful diversity that exists in this beautiful community. I've seen a few shows here including Def West's production of American Idiot which was brilliant showcasing ASL and song and Here Lies Love which just premiered this month celebrating an incredibly talented Filipino cast. Featuring voices in all shapes and forms is incredibly uplifting and inspirational and in a venue where there truly is not a bad seat in the house! The acoustics in here are terrific. Parking also is easy - $10 garage underground- bring cash! Some dining options in the area, make reservations if you can especially for pre theater dinner time! read more

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This is my first time attending at the Mark Taper Forum. A very intimate theater in the round there are elevators that will take you to the restrooms down below and your seats up above. I will consider this a very good venue for small productions. It is one of the older theaters located on the block just opposite of the LA opera Theatre. The decorum is somewhat antiquated, considering the tiles on the wall. read more

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Mark Taper Forum is one of those theaters where you genuinely feel close to the action no matter where you sit. The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and the round stage with the audience partially surrounding it creates some really interesting sightlines that keep your attention locked in. I had the chance to see Here Lies Love, and it was fantastic, energetic, immersive, and at times felt more like stepping into an experience than simply watching a traditional stage show. There were moments where it almost felt participatory in the best way, which made the performance even more memorable. The venue itself is relatively small, but that only adds to the magic and makes every seat feel like a good one. This is easily a place I would return to without hesitation for the right production. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Once upon a time, there is a lot going on at the Mark Taper Forum. The unique show offerings are interesting! I appreciate how close it is to many theaters and restaurants in LA. Easy to park, too! The end. read more

Saw Here Lies Love and it was just mediocre. The supporting female cast had better voices than the lead singer. In particular, the nanny was great. Both male lead actors were outstanding. The only thing that's bothersome is they keep on raising the guard rails. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Recently saw "Here Lies Love" here. I've been to the Ahmanson a few times but never the MTF so I was looking forward to it. For those not familiar with it, it's the smaller round-ish building in between the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Ahmanson Theater. Def smaller in scale, it had a more intimate feeling. The staff was nice just like the Ahmanson. Space-wise, the lobby is way more cramped so you'll be in very tight company with other patrons as they wait to find their seats. Other than that, it's solid. Parking is fine and easy in/out. $10 is a steal for DTLA. Great experience! read more

A little long overdue review but I really enjoyed my first play at the Mark Taper forum. Me and about a group of 10 of us ladies went to see the Jaja'a African hair braiding play in November. The staff was friendly and helpful in helping us find our seats. We sat in upper left corner which we could still see but next time I'd love to sit in the center to really see all the angles of the stage. The play was modern and the actresses and actors really were incredible, and kept my attention all the way through. I will definitely be back to this season to experience another play!! read more

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Still a great imitation venue to go for a play, or in this case musical. Wonderful staff and wonderful clean, spacious, comfy forum. Can't wait for next one. read more

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Came here to take advantage of comped tickets from my nonprofit work. We watched Jaja's African Braiding and it was such a magical experience. Given all the upsetting attacks on our immigrant communities, it was so nice to be immersed in a creative experience among fellow open-minded folks who want to feel in a way that enables connection and inspiration rather than despondency. The center itself is beautiful and historic, it was easy to navigate from the dedicated (paid) parking, and the venue itself allows you to get a great view from any angle. It is a relatively intimate theatre which makes any play you see even more immersive. Really recommend this venue and aim to come back soon for another showing. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Cast of Jaja's Africa Braiding bowing - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Had never heard of the Mark Taper Forum prior to going to see their performance of Hamlet. After our visit, I will definitely be looking into seeing another play here. The theatre is small but mighty. Much less seating than I anticipated, but that just made the experience that much more intimate and impressive. They have a small bar serving drinks and snacks as well as a small merch table. Bathrooms were really nice, too. Should probably have looked more into the area before visiting - if I had, we totally would've gotten food and drinks beforehand in the little plaza out front. It was so festive, had plenty of seating, and looked nice - will definitely do this first on a return visit. Parking was super easy in the Music Center Main Garage right next door - easy to enter and easy to leave. And it was only $10. And, of course, Hamlet was phenomenal. Overall, very impressed with Mark Taper Forum, and I know I'll be back to see another play in the future. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This is a great place to see a play. You are rather close to the stage, even if you have an upper level seat. This adds to the experience. read more

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I have such a wonderful and beautiful experience every time I visit this theatre! I've sat in different seats and was able to view the performance adequately. Last show I got to see was, "Jaja's African hair Braiding" the actors, the set up, the lighting all of it was pretty incredible! I love the outdoor area that they have to catch some drinks and mingle after or before the show as well! I will definitely be coming back to enjoy more shows! read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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There are a lot of things to I've about the forum. The seats are comfortable and the theatre feels intimate, even when you are sitting in the back, like we were. There is an energy and bustle to the crowd. Which segues nicely to the energy on stage. They also have terrific production values. The show I saw was really good and kept my attention. Although we didn't avail ourselves, there is dining onsite and ample parking. Much of this makes for a seamless theatre experience. The one downside was actually finding our seats. The ushers were vague. I think they assume most audience members are familiar with the space. We were directed to the elevator but didn't know if we needed to go up or down. We finally figured out up. Then our first usher was in training, so she had to ask someone where we should go. The 2nd usher knew, but only directed us to the box we were in. The seats themselves weren't labelled, so we had to guess. Turns out, we were alone in the box, so it didn't matter. Taking the Longview, it was a blip in terms of the total experience, but it was stressful. Other patrons don't have a lot of patience when you are hesitant and they are not. The restaurant and wine bar are closed by shoe end. I understand the motivation behind that but wish a post-show drink had been an option. Next time, I will know. I will also likely plan a visit to the wine bar pre-curtain. Recommended. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The Taper Forum is always nice and intimate. I was a bit horrified to hear that it had closed for a bit, and am quite happy it is back open and hosting shows. I recently saw the closing night of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, and loved it. It was fantastic, and the Taper is a part of that happiness. Staff is quick at scanning your ticket for access, there is a bar in there if you need a cocktail, but be prepared for sticker shock; my white wine was $48 with tip. The seats are comfortable, and the bathrooms in the basement are spotless. I hope I get to go back for a show soon. read more

Saw the play JaJa's African Hair Braiding at the Mark Taper Forum and had a great time. It's a theater in downtown Los Angeles at the LA Music Center featuring great plays and acts. Intimate setting - approx 800 seats and not a bad seat in the house IMO. There's great parking underneath the facility and the theater itself has great acoustics and is cozy yet comfortable. If you love the arts you will love the proximity to the stage and a more Immersive theater experience. Great for a celebration and special night out. The play was excellent and so timely! read more

$10 parking below the theaters. Plaza, lobby and theater were clean. Several employees to assist with questions/locating seats. Venue was nice but being a swearer or jacked if you get cold easily. Able to find discounted tickets on Todays TIX app. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

There's not really a bad seat in the house. Think your high school theater, but way nicer of course. I love the Mark Taper! It's smack in the middle of The Music Center, and always a lovely way to spend your time. If you love Green Day, and have an opportunity to check out "American Idiot," go check it out! I love innovative and different, and this was definitely that. You'll be mesmerized by the adventure for your senses and your mind. The choreography is simple, but really quite enchanting. read more

Mark Taper Forum - American Idiot - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The Mark Taper Forum is located in Downtown LA and is part of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion which houses other theaters. The entire Pavilion area is lovely. We used to always dine first at a Pavilion eatery, but sadly, the food is no longer good. And this includes all of the restaurants. They really need to work on that as they are losing more money by the day. The Mark Taper is our main theater to go to at the Pavilion. The rest re-play things too often and the service has gone downhill. The Mark Taper also has staff issues. They seem confused. We went to see American Idiot which is not the New York version, but one put together by the Taper and a community theater for the deaf. The play was signing, singing and the words were even at the top of its small stage. There were posters etc. concerning the community of the disabled. Sadly, I guess they don't mean it or read their own signage. I have a very hard time walking and standing, but I do it. I am just slow and can fall if I have to stand too long. We had to wait for 30 minutes in a line to get a soda. There were no railing to hold onto and when we finally got to a spot in the line where I could lean on the wall, I was yelled at by a staff member who told be "don't do that." I explained I could fall and he said again, "you can't do that." Not one of the bathrooms are convenient for the disabled. The staff does nothing to help. This must change. So, you may wonder why I gave them a 5 star rating. It is simple. They have new and different shows that are always great. They don't re-play the same thing every year. The plays are new, fresh and always entertaining. American Idiot was amazing. This is what the Taper does well and why I tolerate the abuse. The seating is somewhat comfortable and there is not a bad seat in the house. It is small. The prices are fair. Parking is across the street and costs less now than valet (it used to be the same). The valet is also nice and right in front of the Taper The stage is small and they use the space well. I have never seen a bad play or musical there. I will continue to go to the Taper, but I so feel bad for people who are more disabled then me. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place within the art district of DTLA on Grand Ave is full of life this weekend. Surrounded by other theatres, it is a nice place to hang out even if you are not watching a show. The energy across the street from Gloria Molina park is exciting albeit more reserved for the younger group. Mark Taper Forum is a medium sized auditorium with perfect angles that would render unobstructed view of the stage and without a "nose bleed" section to boot. Acoustics are great, ushers are courteous and helpful. A plus for the forum is that the steps are moderate and not steep particularly for audience that may have slight mobility issues. I am looking forward to my next musical!! read more

Mark Taper Forum - The musical production program cover - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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There's no better intimate theater experience than the Mark Taper. Every seat gives you a good vantage point. I've never seen a bad production. Some of the best stage actors have tread on its stage-- a stage that can magically transform into many creative spaces. I once saw a production of "The Tempest", which started on a ship, storm beating down, wind blowing, lightning, thunder-- then in seconds became a sun-drenched island. I've been lucky to witness many superb performances dating back to my childhood with many A-list thespians. They often do diverse, riveting socially-themed dramas, plus classics, music-driven spectacles, and launch award-winning productions. read more

Have been here for Broadway shows and several times this past Summer driving around DTLA. This is a super fun venue just to chillax....Parking gets tricky. I actually parked down a couple blocks at a BK and walked up for exercising. My car was fine leaving a purchase receipt on my dashboard? This past Season, they were showcasing 'Clue,' off the movie! Mark Taper Forum is situated right next to our Opera House, Los Angeles, CA., 'Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.' I have been a subscriber to the Opera House before as well. Gotta Love the Music Center, DTLA! read more

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Always unique way in an intimate theater. By intimate, it means the seats have limited legroom so you're tall stretch before you sit we found the last few places have been extremely loud with regards to the music being played before hand read more

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This place was absolutely amazing! We saw the Green Day play and loved it. Such a small and intimate place with great sound and comfortable seats and like they say - not a bad seat in the house. I'm not sure where my indoor pictures went, but this is my favorite theatre in LA. To see a play or musical. * Oh yeah we parked over in Chinatown for free - I think it's $1.25 per hour and free after 6 pm, something cheap - and walked less than a mile to the theatre. I was with my big son and we like walking so it wasn't a big deal. But I probably wouldn't do it alone on a Saturday night in LA. I'm the biggest fan of Chinatown and DTLA but I rarely go alone at night. It was completely fine and easy. We stopped by Howlin Rays too. Perfect evening. read more

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First time here to see Alex Edelman's "Just For Us", a brilliant, hilarious play in an intimate 739-seat theater. I think nearly every seat in the house has a good view of the round stage. I was not expecting to see Alex's facial expressions from my seat but did. The ushers and parking lot employees are friendly and helpful. Self parking at $10 has only increased $1 in 6 years. The parking garage entrance is off Grand Ave, valet parking, $23, is off Hope St. Prices for this play were reasonable, starting at $40. The Forum is located across from the larger Ahmanson Theater with a fountain plaza. I love the huge Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. No reflection on the theater, but I hope next time I come here my GPS navigation guides me with the most direct route. read more

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Very nice small theater. Looks like every seat has a great view. You can grab a drink and spend some time in the courtyard shared with the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Nice bathrooms with a lot of stalls. read more

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The Mark Taper is a small venue to see great live theater. So many eateries to dine before or after your event. Give this place a try and supper the theater. read more

Nice, big, beautiful theater! Very elegant, modern, with a nice outdoor area and great bar and other stands to grab a snack or a drink to hang out before the play. I loved the atmosphere, the great seating, nice sound and very good lighting, the play I saw here was very well produced, all top notch quality, from acting, to sets, to everything else. Enjoyable experience, everyone around us was quiet, it made it for a great evening out. Too bad tickets are on the pricier side, I would come here more often otherwise. Clean restrooms, a bit of a line as it's expected, I used the subway (Civic Center stop is close by) so I didn't have to deal with parking. Great theater to see a play at and enjoy a perfect evening out in LA! read more

Hamlet was amazing it had a twist to the story as far as I knew! The play was great , we love live entertainment! The ushers and staff did a great job! read more

I just had a horrible experience with CTG customer service when I tried to exchange my Hamlet tickets for another show or date. With the ongoing curfew and "martial law" in the downtown area this week, the customer service representative should have been helpful. He was the opposite. I will never subscribe again - there used to be benefits to subscribing. In the future, I will choose to see shows at other venues. It is too bad, since I used to love going to plays at the Taper, Ahmanson and Kirk Douglas. read more

We saw a Really good play today "Clyde's "! & " King James" a few months ago! I like the Taper!it's smaller than the Ahmanson. Most seats have a great view of the stage. I really enjoy their productions. The staff are always friendly & helpful read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I love the mark taper forum! It's my favorite of the theaters at center theatre group. Such a great size theatre to see really unique performances. I just recently saw the Transparent musical here, as well as my favorite play of last year 22:22. Very big plus that you can bring wine inside this theatre too LOL... I wish they sold concessions inside somewhere, at least just water. But otherwise love this place. Sad it will be shutting down for a while but I will eagerly await its return! read more

Mark Taper Forum - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We went to the Mark Taper Forum last month to catch one of the last performances of Twilight: 1992. We have two little kids, so it's kind of hard for us to get out of the house to do things like going to the theater, but wow, am I glad we went. This was an extraordinary show. We lucked into tickets through a community event in Koreatown, where I was invited to speak about a book I wrote with similar themes to Twilight. This was a great event in itself, with performances by three actors who did monologues from the original play that didn't make it into the updated 2023 show. Every attendee was offered a pair of complimentary tickets, with the goal of attracting a broader audience to the theater. I appreciated this initiative, and not just because I got free tickets. We caught the 1:00 show on April 9, the first of two performances on the closing day. If I had seen it a day earlier, I would've told everyone I know to drop whatever they had planned to catch this incredible play. I'd read Twilight, but seeing it come to life in such a high-quality production was truly amazing. Five actors embodied dozens of characters talking about their experiences of the 1992 uprising, supported by audio and video from that time period. It was completely captivating. The show was so good, we stayed for the Q & A with the cast after the show was over. This was an unexpected bonus, and I really enjoyed it, except for the contribution of numerous audience members who didn't seem to know the difference between a question and a comment. In general, I appreciated the level of audience and community engagement on offer from the Center Theatre Group. One question with a disappointing answer: there was no recording made of Twilight: 1992, so we won't be able to revisit this spectacular performance on screen. As noted by one of the panel, such is the nature of theater. I guess we'll have to take ourselves back to the Mark Taper Forum to catch more singular, awe-inspiring shows. read more

I had the chance to see a show at the Mark Taper Forum last week (A Transparent Musical) and it was a great experience! Having seen many shows at the nearby Ahmanson, I was very familiar with the area and parking situation ($10 garage below the theater). Upon arrival, I was surprised at how small the theater felt! I had seen pictures, but nothing compares to actually getting in your seat. We sat in row N on the side which is the last row and far off center. I really believe that there isn't a bad seat in this theater. The size and shape of the theater makes for an intimate experience no matter where you're seated. I felt like we could see everything happening on the stage and all of the facial expressions better than we could in another style of theater. I only wish that the Mark Taper Forum had a larger roster of shows playing. It seems like they only have a few different shows per year and I would definitely be interested in seeing more performances in this venue. It is also worth noting that the bathroom situation is a bit bizarre. It's all the way in the basement without clear signage. Coming from the top of the theater and navigating down 2 flights of stairs to a bathroom without a natural flow of creating a line (hard to describe but you'll see what I mean at intermission!) was a bit weird. read more

What a fabulous venue! Hadn't been here since before the renovation and it's even better than before. Not a bad seat in the house.

This is one of the best venues in Los Angeles for performing art performances. The intimate setting offers some of the best seating. Feeling that nearly 80% of the seating can offer a view most worthy. The concessions are completely and overly priced, thus maybe pre-gaming may be necessary if that is your thing. read more

Our first visit, but not our last to the Mark Taper Forum. The husband purchased tickets. We were still celebrating my birthday month and I wanted to see "What the Constitution Means to Me" and so we did. The outdoor space is spectacular with water features, video screens, wine bars, a restaurant, and various seating spread out around the complex. The indoor spaces host musical events and theatrical performances.There are small concession stands inside and you can bring drinks into the venue. The seating is layered in a way that there is no bad seat. Enter door one. We took our seats with plenty of leg room, first row in a section is always best. The energy was good with upbeat music playing to keep everyone awake at night. A simple set that works. I have a feeling a few people were up past their bedtime, but wanted to see this Tony worthy production. This play started off-broadway and moved to broadway before touring elsewhere. It was the perfect year to see it, being an election year. It's not at the Mark Taper Forum now, however it will be in San Diego soon. This venue and the performance both deserve 5 stars. Each guest received their own pocket version of the Constitution to take home. It's great to know how far our country has come in some areas, yet we still have room for change and growth. A Yelp, thanks, WOW experience. #LosAngeles #MarkTaperForum #WhatTheConstitutionMeansToMe #TonyWorthy read more

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I saw Twilight at The Mark Taper Forum. The performance was immaculate, outstanding and amazing. Without question, I would absolutely recommend. The amenities left me with something to be desired. The bathrooms were not as easily accessible as should be expected particularly because there is an older clientele that patronizes this establishment. No problem before a performance but during intermission this poses a problem as everyone is rushing downstairs to the powder room and if you need an elevator, you'll be waiting but the bathroom stalls were clean, and numerous. I was hungry so I stopped to get a snack. It was $15 for a soggy roll of grossness so if you can eat beforehand or wait to go to Starbucks, then I'd definitely do that. If I hadn't been famished, I wouldn't have wasted my money. The outside of The Taper is beautiful and the view breathtaking. For the performance itself, I was in the second row so that was wonderful. Great experience. But the seats are definitely close together. I opted for a seat close to the stage because I love being in the midst of the action. But it looks like wherever you sit at The Taper, you're bound to have a great view because it's very intimate. Overall, I'd definitely recommend the live theatre experience. This is a beautiful way to support the arts in Los Angeles. I also love the diversity of the cast, the talent they exhibited and the subject matter itself. There were so many poignant moments. So many beautiful and ugly parts of LA. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Overall, I left The Taper feeling thoughtful, and satisfied with my experience. read more

Mark Taper Forum - Row B - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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