Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)

See also: Hearst Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre

Amphitheatre during a concert (c.2019)
Address	2700 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, California 90027-1247
Location	Griffith Park
Coordinates	34°07′11″N118°17′46″W / 34.1197°N 118.2961°W / 34.1197; -118.2961
Owner	City of Los Angeles
Operator	ASM Global
Type	amphitheatre
Genre(s)	music concerts
Seating type	reserved seating
Capacity	5,900
Current use	concerts, stage shows, graduation ceremonies
Construction
Broke ground	1928
Opened	September 25, 1930
Website
Official website

Greek Theatre is an amphitheatre located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It is owned by the city of Los Angeles and is operated by ASM Global. Designed by architects Samuel Tilden Norton, Frederick Hastings Wallisand, and the Tacoma firm Heath, Gove, & Bell, the theatre stage is modeled after a Greek theatre. ^[1]

History

The idea for the Greek Theatre originated with wealthy landowner Griffith J. Griffith, who donated 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of land to the city of Los Angeles in 1896 to create Griffith Park. ^[2] In his will he left money for the construction of a Greek theatre. A canyon site was chosen because of its good acoustics. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 and the building was dedicated on September 25, 1930. The first performance took place on June 26, 1931, attended by a capacity crowd of 4,000. ^[3]

During its first decades the theatre was rarely used, and it was used as a barracks during World War II. In the late 1940s a San Francisco producer brought touring shows to the venue. In 1952 (and for the next 23 years) James A. Doolittle, a Los Angeles dance impresario, leased the theatre and upgraded it with better seating and backstage equipment. Over time, Doolittle brought classical productions, entertainers and popular music concerts to the venue in a mixed summer season. Under his management the Greek Theatre introduced Los Angeles to many of the celebrated dance, opera and foreign theatre companies of the world and was credited at the time with enhancing Los Angeles's cultural image. Some of these foreign visitors came to America for the first time at the instigation of Doolittle and the Greek Theatre Association, and continued their successful tours in New York City -- a reversal of the traditional route of importation at the time. ^[4] Between 1975 and 2015, the theatre was managed by the Nederlander Organization, which further improved it and continued a regular rotation of contemporary and classical productions and concerts. The theatre underwent an earthquake retrofit in 1995. In 2006 the facade was renovated in celebration of the venue's 75th anniversary. ^[3] In 2015, Live Nation attempted to replace Nederlander in operating the theatre, leading to a joint venture with Live Nation and Nederlander, along with Goldenvoice, programming shows while SMG managed the venue. ^[5]

The venue cancelled its season in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic which would have been its 90th anniversary and also put up for sale their red chairs that were replaced for renovation in the terrace sections. ^[6]

Capacity

In 1983, the Greek Theatre's seating capacity was expanded to 6,187, but renovations brought the Greek Theatre's capacity down to 6,162 in 1995 and to 5,700 in 2004. In 2009 the Los Angeles Fire Marshal permitted the addition of two more rows in the pit, bringing full capacity at the Greek to 5,870 seated and 5,900 general admission. ^[7]

Current usage

The Greek Theatre is used for concerts, stage shows, and graduation ceremonies for Thomas Starr King Middle School and John Marshall High School, among others.

The annual Bell-Jeff Invitational cross country running event starts adjacent to the theater.

Filming and recording

Several concerts have been filmed at the venue, including concerts by The Go-Go's, Ringo Starr, Joe Bonamassa, Chicago. Movies that have been filmed at the venue include Get Him to the Greek , Bye Bye Birdie , and the "Shallow" scene from the 2018 film A Star Is Born . ^[6] Neil Diamond recorded a live album, Hot August Night at the venue in 1972. ^[8] Diamond returned in 1976 to record Love at the Greek where concert footage was used for a special television broadcast. The pop rock group America recorded the America Live album at the Greek in 1977.^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• List of contemporary amphitheaters

References

1. "City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, Griffith Park, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA". Pacific Coast Architecture Database. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
2. Holliday, Peter J. (July 3, 2016). "When in SoCal, do as the Romans (and the Greeks) do". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 6, 2016.
3. "The Greek Theatre History". greektheatrela.com. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
4. Richard, Joseph (1970). "A History Of The Los Angeles Greek Theatre Under The Management Of James A. Doolittle And The Los Angeles Greek Theater Association, 1952-1969: The Professional Theatre Producer As A Lessee Of City Government". University of Southern California. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
5. Jahad, Shirley (2014). "Live Nation, Nederlander/AEG battle for Greek Theatre to continuet". Southern California Public Radio. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
6. Fadroski, Kelli (August 27, 2020). "LA's Greek Theatre is selling off its iconic red seats, and you can buy a pair". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
7. About the Greek
8. "MCA Records Announcement". Billboard. November 25, 1972. pp. 16–17. Retrieved July 16, 2023.

External links

• Official website