The Pantages Theatre: A Brief History Of LA’s Iconic Venue
Plus A Look At Whats Playing In 2025/26
Initially opening in June 1930, The Pantages Theatre was the last movie palace' built in the Hollywood area, established by Alexander Pantages. The venue was initially designed for vaudeville acts, including burlesque comedy and dance; however, due to the financial crisis of the Great Depression, the venue was sold to Fox and converted into a movie theatre.
From 1950, the theatre gained notoriety for hosting the Academy Awards (until 1960) as well as the first-ever televised Oscars (1953). When not hosting award shows, the Pantages Theatre continued as a major location in Los Angeles for movie screenings until 1977. From then on, it became the venue we know and love today - hosting primarily concerts and Broadway shows. Recognizing its cultural and historical significance, the city designated the theater as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1978.
The Pantages underwent an extensive renovation in 2000, returning its striking Art Deco architecture to its former glory. Today, it stands as one of Los Angeles's top destinations for national Broadway tours and major entertainment events, regularly hosting blockbuster shows such as The Lion King and Wicked.
Want to visit this historic venue? Let's take a look at what incredible shows are playing at The Pantages Theatre this season.
What's On: 2025/26 Season
Some Like It Hot
Until August 17, 2025
The classic black and white romantic comedy Some Like It Hot bursts onto the stage in full technicolor during a new imagining of Billy Wilder's 1959 musical mobster classic. Widely considered one of the most influential and celebrated filmmakers of the Golden Era of Hollywood cinema, Wilder brought together silver screen legends Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon for bonafide box office success, creating one of the most beloved films of the MGM canon in the process.
ShuckeD
Aug 19 Sept 7, 2025
Winner of two Drama Desk Awards! After an a-maize-ing premiere at Broadways Nederlander Theatre, the heartwarming story is heading on a national tour! With Nashville's top songwriting talents from Tony winner Robert Horn, in collaboration with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, this musical offers a kernel of joy in these divided times, exploring how opening up to people and ideas we are wary of can be a beautiful process, uniting us in our similarities, not our differences. Aw Shucks!
Les Misrables
Oct 719, 2025
Based on Victor Hugo's novel, this sweeping epic is one of the most popular musicals in history, a tale of love and revolution that draws audiences in time and time again. Its classic score, written by Herbert Kretzmer and Claude-Michel Schonberg, includes the timeless 'I Dreamed A Dream', 'One Day More' and 'Do You Hear the People Sing'.
Nominated for three Tony Awards, this latest Broadway production is a more than worthy chapter in Les Misrables' long history. It debuted at the Imperial Theatre in 2014 and ran for two years, drawing huge acclaim for its stripped-down storytelling, which jettisons some of the bloat attached to previous productions, and the atmospheric video projections that lend the show a hugely cinematic backdrop.
Hadestown
Oct 21 Nov 2, 2025
Cleaning up during the 2018/19 awards season, plucky folk opera Hadestown garnered eight Tony Awards (including the coveted Tony for Best Musical), four Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards and a Drama League Award. This came as no surprise given the production received much acclaim during both its Off-Broadway and Broadway runs, praised for its soaring imagination, vibrant retelling of a classic story and a sumptuous score that evokes smoky New Orleans jazz and bubbling Americana-tinged folk. Don't miss out when the lauded musical hits the road on this hotly anticipated national tour!
Moulin Rouge The Musical
Nov 4 16, 2025
Hey sister... the Broadway sensation, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is bringing the spectacular spectacular to you! A whirlwind if entertainment that transports you to the heady world of the famous Parisian nightclub, this gorgeous production brings Baz Luhrmann's iconic movie to life with stunning sets, costumes, and choreography, all set to an electrifying score of more than 70 pop hits. An unforgettable theatrical experience - get tickets while you can can can!
SUFFS
Nov 18 Dec 7, 2025
The 2024 Tony Winner for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score! A century ago, Suffragette women in the United States were fighting for the right to vote. 100 years later, SUFFS, directed by Leigh Silverman and written by Shaina Taub, the most exciting new voice in theater, won two Tony Awards in 2024 for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score and has even been backed by Hilary Clinton! SUFFS played its final Broadway performance at the Music Box Theatre on January 5, 2025, and now takes to the road on a national tour. You're invited along for the same ride they took all those years ago, so grab your placard and get ready to fight for what's right.
Stereophonic
Dec 9 Jan 2, 2026
Written by David Adjmi, with songs by Will Butler of Arcade Fire, this heavily buzzed production takes you on a wild ride through the day-to-day of five rock musicians making an album in the early 70s. The story itself is one of infighting, frustration, romance, and rock'n'roll (all the things you'd expect from a disagreeing 70's band). David Adjmi notes he drew inspiration from iconic band Fleetwood Mac and came up with the idea while listening to Led Zepplin and pondering "What would it have been like to be in the studio when this was being recorded?".
The Book of Mormon
Feb 3 15, 2026
With NINE Tony Awards - including Best Musical - a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and leading New York Times critic Ben Brantley himself calling it the "best new musical of the century", The Book of Mormon's 2011 debut was a pop culture moment. Still enjoying concurrent engagements in London's West End and on Broadway, the bad boy of musical theatre remains a top draw, leaving audiences either outraged or in pain from laughing to this day.
Six
Feb 18 March 8, 2026
Move over Hamilton, there's a new soundtrack in town and it's JUST as infectious! Henry VIII's six wives are stepping out from the big man's shadow to take their turn in the spotlight in this epically good new musical! Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX is a celebration of girl power - from the 16th Century to today - and debuted on the West End in 2018 to fantastic reviews. With an infectious songbook and costumes to make Gaga or Queen Bey jealous, this outstanding show pushes the boundaries of musical theatre! Much like Hamilton, Six injects its historical story with modern-day attitudes and modern-day music, serving up a dizzying whirl of pop and comedy, and an all-female cast. Don't miss it!
Beetlejuice
March 10 22, 2026
Get ready to experience the afterlife like never before as Beetlejuice invites you to step into a world where the supernatural meets the hilarious. Based on Tim Burton's iconic film, Beetlejuice brings his chaos and madness to stage where you'll witness larger-than-life sandworms, ghostly apparitions and jaw-dropping transformations. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the original film, or a newcomer to the Beetlejuice universe, prepare for a theatrical journey that's bound to leave you screaming... with laughter!
MJ The Musical
April 21 May 3, 2026
Michael Jackson fans rejoice as a brand new musical all about the iconic superstar is here! With Jackson's plethora of moon-walking hits in tow, MJ the Musical is set to explore the star's life and his stratospheric rise to fame.
The Michael Jackson Estate and Columbia Live Stage have partnered on the project, with two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined) set to pen the book. Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon (An American In Paris) has been tapped to Choreograph/Direct the musical. With both Nottage and Wheeldon on the scene, admirers of the late artist can rest assured that Michael's incredible story is in safe hands.
Hell's Kitchen
May 26 June 21, 2026
This all-new inspirational musical is now heading across 30 states on a brand-new North American tour, beginning performances in fall 2025. Created by playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz and scored by Alicia Keys, Hells Kitchen is largely drawn from the award-winning singer's story, based on Keys' life growing up in the Bronx. Maleah Joi Moon won the 2024 Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her role, with Kecia Lewis winning Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Phantom of the Opera
June 24 - August 9, 2026
In 1986, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveiled his latest masterpiece, Phantom of the Opera, an electrifying rock musical inspired by Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel. This mesmerizing tale of supernatural romance has captivated audiences and become a cultural phenomenon. As Broadway's longest-running show, this iconic production continues to break records, with an estimated 140 million viewers worldwide.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Aug 11 - Sept 6, 2026
Step into the enchanting world of Belle and the Beast as one of the most beloved musicals of our time embarks on a thrilling national tour in 2025! Based on Disney's iconic animated classic, Beauty and the Beast has captivated over 35 million audience members around the globe since its debut in 1994. With timeless songs like "Be Our Guest" and the unforgettable title track, plus additional show-stopping numbers, this production weaves a tale as magical as ever.
