La Jolla Playhouse
Arts & Culture · La Jolla, CA
About
You might expect a regional theater to feel safe or predictable. La Jolla Playhouse is the opposite. Founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck and revived in 1983, it has launched Tony winners like Come From Away and Jersey Boys before they hit Broadway. Artistic Director Christopher Ashley keeps the focus on new work and risk-taking. Its three theaters sit close together on the UCSD campus, so you can catch multiple shows in one visit.
Weekday hours are 12pm to 6pm, but showtimes often run later. Regulars know to book ahead, especially for world premieres. If you want a meal before the show, Jai by Wolfgang Puck is next door. This is a top spot for anyone who wants to see what American theater will look like next.
Features
- ✓Founded by actors Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer
- ✓Three intimate stages on one campus
- ✓Without Walls initiative creates immersive, site-specific shows
Practical
What people say
Rated from 160 reviews. 15 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“Gotta Go!”
This is the top venue in Southern California for seeing original theater. The quality is reliably excellent, and even the shows from the local university's grad program are outstanding.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Best theater in SD”
I'm partial because the Playhouse has huge personal significance for me. I've attended since childhood, and I took part in a summer program where I formed lasting friendships. I've watched remarkable theater here, like "I Am My Own Wife" and "The Laramie Project," often before they moved to a famous theater district in New York.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Great Local Theatre”
La Jolla Playhouse is an ideal spot to catch exceptional theater before it hits a big city, for instance "Jersey Boys" and more recently "33 Variations." It draws famous performers but stays unpretentious. With a restaurant by a well-known chef next door, it makes for a wonderful evening out.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Jolla Playhouse LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+-focused? +
It is not explicitly LGBTQ+-owned but has produced works with LGBTQ+ themes (e.g., The Laramie Project) and is widely considered LGBTQ+-friendly.
Are there dining options nearby? +
Yes, Jai by Wolfgang Puck is located right next door, per Yelp reviews.
What are the hours? +
Box office hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 12pm to 6pm (confirmed via Yelp). Performance times vary.
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