The Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre
Opened in 1967, The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre (Ahmanson) features a state-of-the-art configuration with variable seating capacity that can accommodate a diverse selection of performances. The theatre was underwritten by philanthropist Howard F. Ahmanson Sr., the founder of H.F. Ahmanson & Co., a Los Angeles-based insurance and savings and loan company, and named for his second wife, Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson. The Ahmanson is home to a wide-ranging selection of theatrical and dance performances and is the site for Center Theatre Group presentations, including Pre-Broadway runs as well as the best of Broadway and the West End.
Originally faced on all four sides with off-white stone, the façade was altered in 1995 by Ellerbe Becket, the successor firm to Welton Becket & Associates, which designed the original Music Center campus. The theatre is joined with The Music Center’s Mark Taper Forum (Taper) by a 47-foot high colonnade that surrounds both structures and creates a visual balance with The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Pavilion) across Jerry Moss Plaza. The main façade has a glass skin that extends the full 73 feet of the five-level structure, giving patrons the opportunity to view the Taper’s massive mural.
The 2,109-seat theater was designed for musical comedy and theatrical productions, ranging from the intimate to the spectacular. To create a warm, welcoming feeling for patrons, the Ahmanson’s auditorium is wider than it is deep. There are three levels of seating: Orchestra (988 seats), Mezzanine (606 seats including the boxes) and Balcony (515 seats including the boxes). Like the Pavilion, the first 13 rows of the Ahmanson are arranged in continental style with no front-to-rear aisles. Audience members reach the Mezzanine and Balcony from large promenades that overlook Jerry Moss Plaza.
Renovations in the early 1990s enhanced the theatre’s acoustics, improved sightlines and allowed for more flexible seating arrangements. In fact, the Ahmanson can be quickly transformed from a 2,109-seat theatre to a 1,200-seat venue. Updates included changes to the circulation of the auditorium and the addition of six boxes on each of the side walls. At the same time, the architects lowered the ceiling and covered it with new acoustical paneling. They moved the Balcony and Mezzanine closer to the stage, expanded backstage areas and installed mobile dividers in the Balcony to decrease the number of seats for shows that require a more intimate setting. In addition, the Ahmanson now has a three-story lobby. Patrons can view the sculpture, “Acrobat Freeway,” created by local artist Peter Shire, as they enter the building.
The Ahmanson’s original décor featured rich reds and pewter gray tones. Purples and golds were later introduced as part of the Ellerbe Becket renovations. The proscenium was widened in 2010, and its appearance and functionality enhanced with metal mesh curtains and a removable/storable proscenium header.
Featured at the Ahmanson Theatre
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Fri May 02 7:30 PM
Sun May 04 2:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center Grupo Corpo
Ahmanson Theatre
Founded in 1975 by brothers Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras and choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras, the Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo (meaning “Body Group” in Portuguese) is renowned for its unparalleled blend of popular Brazilian culture...Show More
Founded in 1975 by brothers Artistic Director Paulo Pederneiras and choreographer Rodrigo Pederneiras, the Brazilian dance company Grupo Corpo (meaning “Body Group” in Portuguese) is renowned for its unparalleled blend of popular Brazilian culture, African rhythms and classical technique. The program opens with Pederneiras' 1992 work 21, a ballet divided into three movements that weaves rhythmic and timbral combinations around the number 21. Audiences will be captivated by the musical score’s unique sounds, emanating from composer Marco Antonio Guimarães’ unusual instrumental creations. For Gira, Pederneiras immersed himself in the history and practices of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian religions, particularly Umbanda, transforming the rituals into a universal expression of humanity and emphasizing the trance-like turning and movement that characterize these ceremonies. “It is the sheer physical virtuosity of the company that is so impressive—the sinuous, athletic bodies seemingly inexhaustible.” —The Guardian, London
Show LessAge 18 and up
Learn MoreAge 18 and up
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Tue May 06 8:00 PM
Sun Jun 01 1:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Life of Pi
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure and “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal).
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling sta...Show More
Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, Life of Pi is an unforgettable, epic tale of adventure and “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal).
Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel (over 15 million copies sold) is a worldwide phenomenon and opened to critical acclaim on Broadway and the West End and is now captivating audiences around the globe.
With its larger-than-life journey of faith, hope and perseverance, Life of Pi speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show).
Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class, innovative puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, the Broadway and West End sensation Life of Pi creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.
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Tue Jun 17 8:00 PM
Sat Jul 12 8:00 PM
Center Theatre Group Parade
Ahmanson Theatre
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Je...Show More
Winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, Parade has been proclaimed as “a work of art! As commanding as any musical revival to hit Broadway in years” (Deadline).
Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful, Paradereminds us that to love, we must truly see one another.
Parade has received overwhelming acclaim since its debut. The New York Times said, “this revival, filled with deft flourishes by director Michael Arden, recalls an era of big casts, big stories, and big talent—a time when musicals actually felt like events.” Entertainment Weekly called Parade “the most gorgeous production on Broadway.” Time Out New Yorkstated that “Parade will echo for a long time to come. See it before the parade passes by.”
Parade is directed by Tony Award® winner Michael Arden, with book by two-time Tony Award® winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Academy Award® winner Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by three-time Tony Award® winner Jason Robert Brown, and co-conceived by 21-time Tony Award®-winning legend Harold Prince.
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Sat Apr 05 10:00 AM
Sat Apr 19 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program Gloria Molina Grand Park's Easy Mornings
Gloria Molina Grand Park
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and ...Show More
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and family-friendly activities for all ages, focused on deepening relationships with self, community and the park. This year, Easy Mornings is teaming up with Smorgasburg LA to bring more interactive experiences for everyone!
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Sat Apr 19 8:00 PM
LA Phil Cody Fry with Orchestra
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The feeling you get when a black-and-white film suddenly bursts into technicolor in a rush of emotion? That’s the sound of Cody Fry’s music. It’s no wonder the singer, songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist has stirred...Show More
The feeling you get when a black-and-white film suddenly bursts into technicolor in a rush of emotion? That’s the sound of Cody Fry’s music. It’s no wonder the singer, songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist has stirred up a huge following over the last 10 years with his emotional orchestral pop. Fry followed up his #1 Billboard Classical Tracks hit "I Hear a Symphony" with 2023's The End, an album of lush, surging songs that explore intimate themes like mental health and personal change. Coming on the heels of a Grammy nomination for his re-orchestration of the Beatles' classic "Eleanor Rigby," it’s no wonder American Songwriter said, "Cody Fry’s music is simultaneously familiar and breathtakingly innovative."
Show Less
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Sat Apr 19 8:00 PM
LA Phil Cody Fry with Orchestra
Walt Disney Concert Hall
The feeling you get when a black-and-white film suddenly bursts into technicolor in a rush of emotion? That’s the sound of Cody Fry’s music. It’s no wonder the singer, songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist has stirred...Show More
The feeling you get when a black-and-white film suddenly bursts into technicolor in a rush of emotion? That’s the sound of Cody Fry’s music. It’s no wonder the singer, songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist has stirred up a huge following over the last 10 years with his emotional orchestral pop. Fry followed up his #1 Billboard Classical Tracks hit "I Hear a Symphony" with 2023's The End, an album of lush, surging songs that explore intimate themes like mental health and personal change. Coming on the heels of a Grammy nomination for his re-orchestration of the Beatles' classic "Eleanor Rigby," it’s no wonder American Songwriter said, "Cody Fry’s music is simultaneously familiar and breathtakingly innovative."
Show Less -
Sat Apr 05 10:00 AM
Sat Apr 19 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program Gloria Molina Grand Park's Easy Mornings
Gloria Molina Grand Park
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and ...Show More
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and family-friendly activities for all ages, focused on deepening relationships with self, community and the park. This year, Easy Mornings is teaming up with Smorgasburg LA to bring more interactive experiences for everyone!
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree

Tour The Music Center Campus
Free tours are available of all The Music Center's theaters.