Greek Theatre (Los Angeles)

For other uses, see Hearst Greek Theatre.

Greek Theatre 2007

The Greek Theatre is a 5,700-seat amphitheatre, located at Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, California. It was built in 1929, opening on September 29 of that year. The Greek Theatre is owned by the city of Los Angeles, and is managed, operated and promoted by the Nederlander Organization. Designed by architect Samuel Tilden Norton the amphitheatre's stage is modeled after a Greek temple.

History

The Greek Theatre is in Griffith Park. It was paid for with a donation from Griffith J. Griffith, who also donated the land for the park.

The Greek Theatre won the Best Small Outdoor Venue award seven times in the past eight years, which was awarded by Pollstar Magazine, the industry's leading trade publication.

The Greek Theatre had a limited concert season during its first two decades of renovations that allowed the theatre to compete with rival 1950s’ theatres; Doolittle in fact drew up plans for those renovations.

In 1983, the Greek Theatre's seating capacity was expanded to 6,187, but recent renovations have 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 / 5,900 general admission.

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.

Notable events

Neil Diamond's 1972 concert album, Hot August Night, was recorded live at the Greek Theatre. Harry Belafonte's 1964 concert album, Belafonte at the Greek Theatre was recorded live at the Greek Theatre. Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire - Live at the Greek Theatre recorded live in 2005. The film Get Him to the Greek starring Russell Brand was filmed in 2010 at the theatre, which started an urban saying of "Get him to the Greek!".

External links

• Greek Theatre
• Greek Theatre Online
• Nederlander Concerts