Everything about this place is very cool, starting with the fact that it is possibly the only theatre in the country that produces more electricity than it uses. Seriously! It's SOLAR POWERED. How cool is that? It's got a really beautiful little theatre upstairs that I've seen in a variety of different configurations, and they usually do some pretty cool work (though one star off because most of the stuff I've seen there has been pretty lily white, and more often than not, I find myself to be the only non-white person in the entire place; twice, I saw plays that had jokes about Asians, and in both cases, I was the only Asian in the whole damn building! Grrr!)
Besides the plays, they have a variety of different classes, and though I can't vouch for 'em because the only one I've experienced was a circus class my daughter took there for a brief time a few years ago, I can tell you that the spaces that they have them in are pretty clean and have a nice vibe about 'em. Last time I looked, they had dancing, acting, martial arts and yoga classes going on there regularly. There's usually some interesting art on the walls, and they apparently host other events, like seminars. Plus: free parking.
If they could up the diversity quotient a little (hey, ain't this LA? Ain't this the 21st Century?), this would be worth way more than four stars - extra credit for being green and clean and cool!
Update: OK, It is NOW October, and we're in it to win it! Come out to see INNOCENT WHEN YOU DREAM, which just opened last week and just got the LA Weekly's Pick of the Week. Here's a little more 411:
Last Week for Early Bird Tickets (Sat. matinee sold out)
LA Weekly's Pick of the Week!
"Narasaki's script (is) an eloquent, moving and lingering glance at an intersection of history and memory that has universal application. Director Alberto Isaac delivers a nuanced production with splendid performances by Shimono, Omi and Kuroda, and strong support by John Miyasaki, Mike Hagiwara and the rest of the cast. Designer Mina Kinukawa provides the simple, elegant set, and John J. Flynn's impressionistic video designs conjure an era gone by with haunting artistry."
This is the last week for the early bird $15 ticket price - after Sunday, all tickets go to the regular price of $20 (except for groups of 10 or more). This Saturday matinee performance (3pm, 10/13) is nearly sold out, but there are tickets left for this Friday evening, Saturday evening, and Sunday matinee performances. The buzz has been good about this show, and we hope to sell out the last two weekends, so book your tickets now through www.brownpaperticket.com or call 1-800-838-3006.
INNOCENT WHEN YOU DREAM is at: Electric Lodge on 1416 Electric Avenue in Venice. From Lincoln Blvd., go west on Venice Blvd, right on Abbot Kinney, right on California Avenue, and right on Electric, then turn left into our parking lot.
For more information, visit our website at: www.myspace.com/innocentatelectric read more