WORLD-CLASS THEATER.

WORLD-CLASS THEATER.

LA is famous for movies, London, for theater.

And while London lives up to its reputation for world-class theater, LA has some world-class theater of its own. The top two are the Center Theater group at the Music Center and Kirk Douglas, and the Geffen Playhouse, in Westwood.

The venue is beautiful, a 1929 Spanish style building with a charming courtyard where you can have a drink before the show and during intermission.

The largest of the theaters is an intimate state-of-the-art auditorium with 512 seats. Even the balcony feels close and has good sightlines.

But even more than the venue, it's the quality of productions that makes this the theater lovers' theater.

I recently saw the World Premiere adaptation of "A Christmas Carol." You're probably thinking, "Oh, please, not another production of that weary old chestnut!"

But no, this stunning one-man show, featuring the truly astonishing Jefferson Mays, made it feel like the old story was brand new--and scary. May's energy borders on mystical, as he narrates and plays all the characters, jumping instantly from an all-too-human Scrooge, to an all-too-ghostly Marley. It's hard to believe one person can perform with such energy, exuberance, and heart for the 90 minutes of the show--much less that he can accomplish this magical feat almost every night (and four times on weekends!)

The direction, production design, lighting are all first-rate, stunning, beautiful, scary.

The ability to see this level of talent in a theater in Los Angeles is a true gift. As is the fact that seats are available for as little as $30.

The staff is all very friendly and helpful. And, last, but not least in LA, ample validated parking is only $4 under the Trader Joe's a block away.

If you love theater you'll LOVE the Geffen.