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    The Broad Stage

    4.3 (91 reviews)
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    Updated 3 months ago

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    Doreen M.

    Beautiful venue, has 2nd floor, side balcony seating, and large bathrooms. A lot of free parking too. Enjoyed a classical concert and look fwd to more. Good acoustics. This is part of SMC campus I think.

    a podium with a speaker on it
    David C.

    Despite living on the West Side most of the last 30 years, I've never heard of this place before. I think it's part of Santa Monica College. I went to see Fran Liebowitz be interviewed and answer audience questions. The place was comfortable and nice. Unfortunately, they still require masks for all attendees even though the mandate was removed months ago. That makes it uncomfortable. Also, you don't want to sit on the side up close. I was in the second row all the way on the last seat on the left, and it was very difficult to understand the audio at first. In fact, the woman next to me, said she couldn't understand anything, got up, and left. I seemed to adjust to it, and ultimately it was fine. It's a small theater and good for a small speaking event.

    Auditorium from the stage
    Daniel W.

    One of the best venues in Los Angeles. Beautiful theater, varied and first rate programming, huge free parking lot. They combine to make the Broad stage a great place to enjoy the theater. If you ever have a chance to see the "Improv theater" you will be amazed and delighted by their completely improvised plays in styles such as Jane Austen.

    Nick A.

    I'll start out with the good stuff and then explain why I decided to give it two stars. The good: Free parking. Easy online ordering and only a $4 service fee per ticket. Ticket pickup at Will Call is easy. Theater staff is friendly and helpful. Comfy seats. Easy to see over the person in front of you. Great lighting. Beautiful theater. I'd say that's a solid 5-star start, but here comes the not so good. My main gripe is the sound mixing was horrible.I specifically went to hear her one of my favorite vocalists, Bettye Lavette, but what I got was a nice mix of her band who sounded great, but almost inaudible vocals by the twice Grammy nominated vocalist. OK, yes, I could hear the vocals, but they weren't clear and not nearly loud enough.The instruments overpowered her voice. When Ms. Lavette addressed the audience between songs there were no adjustments made for when she'd lower her voice. What a shame. So much of the show is the performer's rapport with the audience. The audience was very stuffy and her attempts to connect were thwarted by sir mix not enough back in the booth. It really baffles me how they can mess something up as simple as adjusting the volume on a microphone. Speaking of the booth, they kept the bright lights on in the sound booth on during the first three songs. It really ruined the ambiance of the nicely lit theater. Another thing is there is absolutely no chance of being able to get up and leave during the show if you have to unless everyone in the row stands up. There is zero room to get by someone. That's the way it is in a lot of theaters, though. The cheap seats for this event were $73 including the service fee. It's not exorbitant, but it's way too much to pay for rookie errors in the sound booth. Maybe I just caught an off night and someone new was running the sound. Maybe it wasn't even someone from the theater running the sound. I might give The Broad Stage another go sometime. it's a beautiful theater and the staff is cool. Hopefully, I can add back a couple stars.

    Metal collage by Tony Berlant.
    Tess M.

    "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." ~Twyla Tharp Eli and Edythe Broad's http://www.smc.edu/forms/news.asp?Q=25 philanthropy equals art for all. Make that music, theatre or even culinary; the reason I finally experienced The Broad Stage and Santa Monica architect, Renzo Zecchetto's art, http://www.architecture-buzz.com/the-broad-stage-renzo-zecchetto-architects/. http://www.archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/perform/09_BroadStage/ Yup, it was grub, KCRW's Global Street Food event, http://www.kcrw.com/events/global-street-food that un-bookmarked this venue. Now, I can't help but wonder what it would be like to enjoy dance, a play or a concert here. Must find out soon!

    Randy B.

    What a beautiful and contemporary venue, and just a block in-between Wilshire and Santa Monica...who knew? Not me -- I've never seen it before. Pronounced "Brode", it has free parking, too. That's a nice first impression as compared to anywhere else you'll go to see a performance, let alone, grabbing a coffee anywhere in Santa Monica for that matter. Outside: wood, metal, glass [http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/FRxImtYRRorEfXBWq9MYHQ?select=RVe0DQNzQzxMj0iaFkbjHg#RVe0DQNzQzxMj0iaFkbjHg]. Inside: a narrow lobby the width of the theater, with a small amount of appropriate books and CD's to fit the night. A small bar with coffee, tea, soft drinks, casual snacks, and then offset with a barrel of cheese with crackers ($8, feed a family). On March 22, an event promoted by Westside Connections "2" with, none other than, special guest Jonathan Gold. I was most excited! Billed as "The Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic joins concertmaster Margaret Batjer, who both curates and hosts the series, for an evening of delectable music and conversation." Food and music, together in one night? Actually, it was a 3-week series...I just missed the other two! Honestly, this combination of music and food together, is the most sweetest and tastiest as it's gonna get! The Performers: ----------------------- Elissa Johnston, soprano; Timothy Andres, piano; Margaret Batjer, violin; Allan Vogel, oboe; Armen Ksajikian, cello; Patricia Mabee, organ; Jeffrey Kahane, piano; Sarah Thornblade, violin; Roland Kato, viola; Joshua Ranz, clarinet; David Everson, horn The Program: ------------------- * Bach "Ich esse mit Freuden" ("I eat with joy"), from Cantata No. 84 * Bernstein La Bonne Cuisine-Four Recipes for Voice and Piano * William Bolcom Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise * Timothy Andres Sorbet * Dohnányi Sextet in C major for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Clarinet and Horn, Op. 37 I don't think I've seen "Chamber Music" live before. It's romantic, and this venue is perfect for it. I loved it. And, this my friends, features AMAZING talent. The seating area: ------------------------ Stunning. A perfect 499 capacity, it's intimate. With its amazing sound, and it is truly a wonderful place to see a musical performance. Having 3rd row tickets, center, didn't hurt my impression. Plus, it has the most beautiful wood floor [http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/FRxImtYRRorEfXBWq9MYHQ?select=RVe0DQNzQzxMj0iaFkbjHg#PhxjsuZSb_nq5ZXidf7XgQ]. Post-Performance: -------------------------- A Q&A with Jonathan Gold, Margaret Batjer (Violinist, Host), Jeffrey Kahane (LACO Music Director), it was really fun as they discussed, and answered questions on the idea of a themed night (such as this), and the love of both food and writing. [http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/FRxImtYRRorEfXBWq9MYHQ?select=RVe0DQNzQzxMj0iaFkbjHg#MmN1qpG224QxOeq72DpN2g] I got a chance to meet Mr. Gold, tell him how much I appreciate and enjoy his writing, and had him endorse his new book, Counter Intelligence: Where to eat in the Real Los Angeles", he signed it "Tacos Forever, Jonathan Gold." Yep, love this guy. Conclusion: ----------------- I can't wait to go back! Encore! Encore!

    Box 2, right of stage
    Terry P.

    Beautiful venue with excellent acoustics! The venue offers ample free parking too, which is so rare now. The ticket counter is outside the venue and although the old lady that processed our transaction was snooty and had no personality, we didn't let her bother us. We were pleasantly greeted at the door by a friendly guy and the experience went up from there. We sat in box seat number two, to the right of the stage and the view was fantastic. Overall a great experience with the performance and acoustics. We will definitely be back.

    Eddie C.

    This is a great venue. While it is not as cozy as a jazz club, I recognize that there gotta be some concert venues that will fit a larger crowd. The Broad Stage is Santa Monica College's performing arts center but it is located about a mile from the main campus. This is a beautifully designed facility. As I pulled into the parking lot (free parking), the concert hall is a blend of modern architectural designed warmed with large furniture grade wood panels. This design continues through the building and into the intimate yet spacious concert hall. We came here this past weekend to hear Hiroshima ($20 tickets got us front row center) and I almost felt the same excitement and connection with th group as I had in the days when they use to play outdoor noontime concerts at UCLA's Ackerman Union. So now Hiroshima have grown up and moved up to playing 1st class venues like the Broad Stage. I would guess most of their followers at their noon time concerts also moved along the parallel evolutionary paths. Then again for $20, it is within the reach of most - which is what Jazz is all about.

    branded napkin
    Ai M.

    I sat in the second row among 80 other people but I didn't need earplugs. My ears aren't ringing [the lighting was also great]. My boyfriend and I showed up an hour early just in case there was a line for The Bird and the Bee concert in The Edye Second Space. Our tickets were checked at the door then we were directed to tables of complimentary bottled water, coffee, and cookies. I was disappointed that the art gallery wasn't open. Recording isn't allowed so no cameras (cell phones must also be turned off). The performers weren't elevated because its a black box space. This is a rehearsal hall devoted to an experimental program. To save paper, the program was projected on the wall. We drove around the block because we missed the entrance to the parking lot and the rest of the gates were blocked for filming tomorrow.

    Dev R.

    Oh my God, where has this theatre been hiding? EXCELLENT! Awesome parking area right in front of the theatre. Interesting folk working the box office, but it is what it is. Helpful folk as ushers. GREAT building decor. Usual exorbitant prices for theatre snacks. Good row seating inside. Excellent sound, lighting, and acoustics. I will search this place out just to see what's playing here. Good job Broads!

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    3 months ago

    Lovely venue with world class artists, excellent acoustics, and outstanding visibility from every seat in the house.

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    7 years ago

    Beautiful Venue. Great Staff and a lot of parking.

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    Ask the Community - The Broad Stage

    Review Highlights - The Broad Stage

    Free parking on the lot, but I suggest you park on the outer edges for ease of parking and leaving.

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    Tom Hanks with Joanne Baron and DW Brown listening to speech from playwrite John Patrick Shanley, at Alumni Ceremony
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    2013 Alumni Ceremony
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    The Broad Stage - musicvenues - Updated August 2026

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