Theater & Shows in Elysian Park

Knightsbridge Theatre's talented cadre of thespians presents a schedule of lovingly crafted stagings of classic theatrical texts in an intimate, newly restored theater. Five- and 10-seat subscriptions allow patrons to use their seats any way they like, bringing along a mass of friends for one show or sitting on a friend’s shoulders and plopping down into a single seat, or gifting tickets to a friend, family member, or favorite landscaper. Upcoming shows include Steel Magnolias, the original musical comedy Bergeracky, Rostand's comical French romance Cyrano De Bergerac and the medieval tale of intrigue The Lion in Winter. Shows take place in a renovated 1920s silent-movie house that contains just 99 seats, creating an intimate atmosphere that allows actors to connect to the audience without the use of duct tape.

In the intimate confines of Atwater Playhouse, a new 45-seat theater, acting teachers impart the skills behind not acting. Most commonly known as method acting, their style hinges on actually feeling a character's emotions, rather than simply mimicking them. This immersive approach, used by greats such as Meryl Streep and Al Pacino, has landed students roles in productions such as The Dark Knight Rises, Drive, and Weeds.

At Berg Studios, Gregory Berger-Sobeck and his fellow instructors help actors reach their full potential. Not only has the school itself won awards, but Gregory's Yale–style techniques have helped propel his alumni onto the sets of Modern Family, Mad Men, and Youth in Revolt. Berg Studios has also launched students onto Broadway and Emmy Award stages. Testimonials from his trainees praise the skills he has taught them, along with the self-confidence his guidance has helped foster.

On June 5, the 100-member Jr. Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates 74 years of giving young musicians up to age 25 the chance to be heard with an evening of classical standards, show tunes, and favorite theme songs. Bring a favorite baton from home and conduct along with orchestral leader Gary S. Greene as he leads the 1812 Overture, Scheherazade, and a dancing group of instrument-less broomsticks. Radio personality Wink Martindale masters the ceremonies and a number of stage sages headline, including Carol Channing singing "Hello, Dolly!" and Charles Fox conducting his ditties from Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Love Boat. Join in the toe-tapping tintinnabulation in support of this musical institution; see the online seating chart for a glimpse of seating areas available with this Groupon.

In 2008, South Pacific swept the Tony Awards®, capturing seven golden trophies, including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize–winning book, Tales of the South Pacific, South Pacific tells, dances, and sings the story of two couples—Navy nurse Nellie Forbush with French plantation owner Emile de Becque, and airman Joe Cable with lovely native lass Liat— torn by war and the temptations of tropical paradise. The original production won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1950, with its frank depiction of racial prejudice as a central theme.

The Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, which the Huffington Post calls “the gold standard of the avant garde in LA,” introduces members to emerging local and international artists with gallery exhibitions and innovative performances in art, music, dance, film, and multimedia. In time for the debut of the 2012 schedule, individual members enjoy a 20% discount on up to two tickets to each of REDCAT’s theatrical productions, which include Lars Jan’s genre-defying Abacus, with high-tech effects and compelling performances that explore media’s persuasive power. With 24 hours’ notice, members can trade in tickets for another date, increasing their chances of catching chats with filmmakers such as William E. Jones, comedy sets by jokesters such as Sandra Bernhard, or recollections of '70s New York by former Yankees shortstop Lou Reed.