We came here specifically for a LATW (L.A. Theatre Works) presentation of Philip Kan Gotanda's "Sisters Matsumoto". What we didn't know was that this presentation was being performed by noted actors for an audio play or podcast. So, what does that mean? This smallish theater was set up with microphones, recording equipment, chairs and stools for the actors, few background stage changes AND a Sound Effects Artist. For older generation folks, this live recording format is akin to radio broadcasts (if you can imagine pre-television) with live audiences in attendance. The storyline for Sisters Matsumoto told about a Japanese family who had been interned at Arkansas' Rohwer War Relocation Camp and their resilience to rebuild their lives after being released back to their family home in Sacramento, California. The story is relevant to today's politics and shows this dark period in American history. After the play, the founder and Producing Director of L.A. Theatre Works, Ms. Susan Albert Loewenberg, led a lively and thought-provoking discussion featuring the playwright (Philip Kan Gotanda), actor/activist George Takei and director Tim Dang. The theater is located in UCLA's Melnitz Hall (closest to the northern edge of the campus just off Sunset Boulevard at Hilgard Avenue) with lots of parking in adjacent parking structure number 3. Melnitz Hall is UCLA's School of Film, Television and Digital Media Department's production and teaching facilities. The James Bridges Theater is a state-of-the-art venue screening venue. Needless to say, we enjoyed both the production and the venue and hope that we'll be back for more of LATW's productions. read more

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My friend was starring in the LA Theatre Play, Spill, and I came here in a show of support. Directions led me directly to their parking lot, where an attendant was waiting to collect $12 cash. I didn't have cash so I was instructed to pay at one of the Pay stations in the garage. That ended up being a much cheaper option at $4 for two hours. The theatre was small and intimate. There were refreshments offered beforehand. All of the actors were wonderful. Each played a handful of characters. I loved that the backdrop was projected and pair with superior sound effects and score. It was more like watching a movie. Spill was a wonderful story about the 2010 oil spill. Most can recall seeing this event in the news, but I was even able to learn a lot that I didn't know. Score. read more

James Bridges Theater - Cinema Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I never knew this theater existed! A great place to see some famous talent and shows where they record it for radio. There are no sets, no costumes, and there is a "sound effects" guy doing it old style - shuffling papers around, the tinkling of chinaware, etc. The theatre seats 270 people or so, the parking is in Lot 3 for $12, nearby, the sculptures garden is good for a stroll, and it's on UCLA campus. They also show slides or photos onto the big screen to give a sense of setting/context which kept it interesting as well. read more

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An old university theater (cramped seating) that's used as a classroom during weekdays and rented out for events at night and during the weekend. The service varies depending on how the event organizers want to run their event (so your experience may vary with each event). With that said, it is the school's policy to prohibit food and beverages from the theater, and lately the staff has been stricter about this rule. You might want to fuel up on calories and drinks before arriving. Interesting programming on behalf of UCLA's Melnitz movies and GSA who both show free movies! GSA always shows new films before they hit theaters. In recent months I've watched Call Me By Your Name, Shape of Water, and Isle of Dogs (at no cost)! Just make sure to register on Eventbrite and show up early, seats are first come first serve. Lastly, I'll let you in on a secret! There's free street parking on Loring Ave. and Conway Ave. (intersecting with Comstock Ave.) after 6pm. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the theater but definitely worth it if you want to save $8-12 from using the university's parking lot. read more

I enjoyed watching the Frankenstein play here. The characters where not wearing costumes and were reading their lines into microphones. I think they were being recorded for BBC radio so the audience had to make sure there phones wouldn't interrupt anything. The way they read there lines was awe inspiring and completely captivating. The play took place at the UCLA campus theater. I like the way they seem to have at least one famous guest actor or actress join in on all the excitement. All the actors and actresses held their own though. During intermission there was a choice a few snacks and beverages and they can not be eaten in the theater. I would attend this theater again for other plays. I'd just keep in mind not to assume their will be costumes but to expect to be swept away into a well spoken story telling. Kinda like being at a professional campfire story telling session. read more

This is a small theater on the UCLA campus. I went there for a free screening of the movie The Hate U Give. It was a very good film. The seating was comfortable and the staff made sure every seat was occupied. There was a Q & A after with one of the actors, which was informative and interesting. While the movie was free, parking in the evening is $8. read more

So this review is specifically if you have ever have to have them settle a dispute with you. I'm sure the experience is perfectly fine if nothing goes wrong with your ticketing. The parking here is $8 and in the parking structure right next door. Convenient but still kind of pricey. You could try to find street parking but then you'd have a nice hike through campus to get to where ever you parked. We decided to follow the email instructions and park in the structure. It wasn't clear that to pick up tickets for my show you have to go to the table inside and not the outside window that's labeled box office but it wasn't terribly difficult to figure out. So the problem arose when we got to our seats. I could've sworn that I picked center section seats since I bought these tickets months ahead of time and could've picked any seat in the theater based on my memory of the ticket buying experience, but we got first row far left, some of the worst seats in any theater. We went up to the ticket lady to dispute this. She was skeptical if I actually chose center front seats and at that point I was beginning to think it was human error. I would never willingly buy those seats. Who would? Eventually, we asked if we could exchange those tickets and she said check with her five minutes before the show. I did and she told me she's not the marketing manager and if he was there he would absolutely say no to exchanging tickets. She allowed us to do it for two tickets for our group since some other guests gave away their extra seats. So our group was scattered and that was the best she could do. She was really hesitant to do it and not particularly pleasant about it. To be fair, I was probably sounding irate too. But if I get her into trouble with this review, i still think it was poorly handled on her part. I felt embarrassed and frustrated for the first twenty minutes of the show. The worst part about this was halfway at intermission. There were definitely a dozen or so pockets of open seats that she could've sat us in. So. With all that said, would I choose to come here for another show. HELL NO. With so many competing options, this definitely shot to the bottom of my list in terms of venue. I'd go to the Geffen. I'd go to the Wallis. The Broad Stage. The programming here isn't compelling enough that I'd come despite the extremely unpleasant experience. I certainly wouldn't recommend my friends to go. If you do decide to come here. Check your tickets and take a screenshot before submitting payment. The only reason I didn't give it only one star was that everything else was fairly pleasant. Seats, ushers. RANT: As a young, enthusiastic theater goer who travels to go see theater all over the SoCal area (hello South Coast Rep and La Jolla Playhouse), this is really disappointing. Even as a general theater goer this is disappointing. I've worked with all kinds of theater managers and the best ones always try to accommodate the customers so that they don't have a bad experience if it can be helped and this one certainly could've. I don't know what this theater's policy on releasing reserved seats are but it should be a few minutes after the show and there was a long blah blah intro video where she could've given us better seats. You want to bring in young people into see classical work and live theater. This certainly left a really bad taste in my mouth and I can only be grateful to my friends who were more understanding than I was. As the organizer of our outing, I was mortified. read more

Pretty comfy theater! Really enjoyed the movie "Welcome to Slab City" we saw here over the weekend. Wish you could take food/beverage into the theater tho- the movie started an hour later than it was listed & I sure was parched after being there so long! read more