If you want to see a big Broadway musical in Los Angeles, you have more choices than most people realize, and they’re split across two different organizations in two different parts of town. That trips up a lot of first-timers. So here’s the honest, no-fluff version: what’s playing right now, what’s coming, which shows are worth the money, and how to actually get a good seat without paying tourist prices.
I’ll update this through the year as runs open and close. Dates and prices move, so always double-check the official page before you buy.
The quick answer: what’s worth seeing right now
- Closing this week: Hell’s Kitchen at the Pantages (final performances through June 21). Alicia Keys’ music, a real coming-of-age story. If you were on the fence, it’s now or never.
- Opening in days: Mamma Mia! at the Ahmanson (June 23 to July 19) for a pure feel-good night, and the new Phantom of the Opera at the Pantages (June 24 to August 9) for big spectacle.
- Biggest fall titles: The Outsiders (Tony winner for Best Musical) and The Who’s Tommy at the Pantages, then The Lion King settles in for a long winter run.
- The two houses: most touring Broadway lands at the Hollywood Pantages. The Ahmanson downtown runs its own mix. Different websites, different neighborhoods, different parking. More on that below.
How “Broadway” actually works in LA
This is the part a quick search won’t explain clearly, and it’s the thing worth understanding before you buy anything.
There is no single “Broadway in LA” box office. The big touring musicals you see advertised are run by two separate groups:
1. Broadway in Hollywood, at the Hollywood Pantages. This is the main touring-Broadway series in the city. It’s the gorgeous Art Deco house on Hollywood Boulevard, right on top of a Metro station, and it gets the headline tours: Phantom, Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, and so on. When a giant musical comes to LA, it usually plays here. A handful of shows overflow to the Dolby Theatre (yes, the Oscars venue) a few blocks west when the calendar is tight, though in 2026 the Dolby is mostly concerts and comedy.
2. Center Theatre Group, at the Ahmanson Theatre. This is the downtown house at the Music Center, near Disney Hall. CTG runs a season that mixes touring Broadway (Mamma Mia!, Clue, The Music Man) with its own productions. It’s a shorter walk from Metro than people expect, and it shares a garage with Disney Hall, which matters on busy nights.
So “I want to see a Broadway show in LA” really means picking between two organizations. Tickets, subscriptions, lottery apps, and parking all work differently at each. I’ll point you to the right page for each as we go.
Playing now and opening soon
Hell’s Kitchen (Pantages, through June 21)
Alicia Keys built this one from her own teenage years growing up in Manhattan, and it won two Tonys. The music carries it, and the young lead role is a genuine showcase. It’s warm, it’s loud in the good way, and it lands hardest if you already love Keys’ catalog. The catch: it closes June 21, so this is the last week. If you want it, move now. Our honest take on the show is here.
Mamma Mia! (Ahmanson, June 23 to July 19)
Nobody walks out of Mamma Mia! in a bad mood. It’s ABBA, a Greek island, a wedding, and zero pretense. This is the show I’d send a group of friends to, a bachelorette crowd, or anyone who wants a fun night and not a heavy one. Don’t expect depth. Do expect the whole room singing on the way out. It’s at the Ahmanson, so check our Ahmanson best-seats guide and parking near the Ahmanson before you go.
The Phantom of the Opera (Pantages, June 24 to August 9)
LA is one of the launch cities for Cameron Mackintosh’s new production, and it’s a real spectacle. The big difference from the version you might remember: the chandelier now drops fast and almost straight down over the crowd to end Act 1, instead of the slow swing toward the stage. That changes where you’ll want to sit, which is exactly why we wrote a Phantom-specific best-seats guide. If you’ve never seen Phantom, this is a great one to start with. Our full verdict on this production is here.
Coming the rest of 2026
This is the Broadway in Hollywood fall and winter slate at the Pantages, plus a couple of Ahmanson titles. I’ve added a one-line honest read on each so you can plan around the ones you actually care about.
At the Pantages
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (August 12 to September 6). A summer family engagement. Safe, polished, great for kids and first-timers. Adults who want something edgier should wait for the fall titles.
- Water for Elephants (September 8 to 27). Based on the bestselling novel, set in a Depression-era circus, with real circus staging worked into the show. Tony-nominated and visually inventive. For people who want something a little different from the usual jukebox tour.
- The Outsiders (September 30 to October 18). This won the 2024 Tony for Best Musical. It’s the S.E. Hinton novel and the Coppola film, turned into a gritty, emotional, physical staging. If you read the book in school, go. This is the fall title I’m most excited about.
- The Who’s Tommy (October 27 to November 15). Pete Townshend’s rock opera, restaged. Loud, bold, and built for fans of The Who or anyone who likes their musicals with a guitar instead of a string section.
- Disney’s The Lion King (December 17, 2026 to February 13, 2027). The one that never stops working. If you’ve somehow never seen it, the opening number alone is worth the ticket, and it’s the easiest “yes” for a family outing all year. Long run, so no need to rush.
At the Ahmanson
- Clue (September 8 to 12). Based on the movie and the board game, played for laughs. A short, light, fun run. Blink and it’s gone, so grab it early if you want it.
- The Music Man (October 27 to November 8). The classic, revived. Comfort-food musical theatre, big and tuneful, good for older audiences and anyone who loves the standards.
The big 2027 names already announced
Worth knowing about now, because the best seats and any subscriber perks go early:
- Jersey Boys (Pantages, February 16 to 28, 2027) for the Four Seasons jukebox crowd.
- Buena Vista Social Club (Pantages, March 9 to 28, 2027), the Tony-winning Cuban music show, one of the most joyful nights on the touring circuit.
- Operation Mincemeat (Pantages, March 30 to April 18, 2027), a sharp British comedy about a real WWII spy plot, a genuine cult hit.
- Hamilton returns to the Pantages (July 28 to August 29, 2027). You know this one. Plan early.
Quick comparison
| Show | Venue | Dates | My honest read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hell’s Kitchen | Pantages | through Jun 21, 2026 | Closing this week, go now if you love Alicia Keys |
| Mamma Mia! | Ahmanson | Jun 23 to Jul 19, 2026 | Pure feel-good, best for a group |
| Phantom of the Opera | Pantages | Jun 24 to Aug 9, 2026 | Big spectacle, great first Phantom |
| Beauty and the Beast | Pantages | Aug 12 to Sep 6, 2026 | Family-safe, kid-friendly |
| Water for Elephants | Pantages | Sep 8 to 27, 2026 | Inventive, circus staging, something different |
| The Outsiders | Pantages | Sep 30 to Oct 18, 2026 | Tony Best Musical, the fall pick |
| The Who’s Tommy | Pantages | Oct 27 to Nov 15, 2026 | Rock opera, for The Who fans |
| Clue | Ahmanson | Sep 8 to 12, 2026 | Short, light, funny |
| The Music Man | Ahmanson | Oct 27 to Nov 8, 2026 | Classic comfort musical |
| The Lion King | Pantages | Dec 17, 2026 to Feb 13, 2027 | Always worth it, easy family yes |
Dates and casting change. Confirm on the official page before buying. I keep our What’s On in LA Theatre hub current as runs shift.
How to get a good seat without overpaying
Two separate jobs here: sitting in the right spot, and not paying more than you have to.
For seats, the rule that holds at both houses is the same. The center of the front-of-house and the front of the first balcony level usually beat the back of the orchestra under the overhang, often for less money. We’ve mapped each room:
For price, you have real options beyond the face-value box office. Digital lotteries, day-of rush, and under-25 programs can get you into a big musical for a fraction of the sticker. The catch is they each work differently and the windows are easy to miss.
- Start with our cheap LA theatre tickets guide for the full strategy.
- Then check the exact lottery and rush windows on our lottery and rush cheat sheet.
Eating before the show
Both houses sit in good food neighborhoods, and a pre-show meal beats a $14 lobby snack. For the Pantages, here’s where to eat before a Pantages show. For the Ahmanson and the rest of the Music Center, try where to eat near the Music Center.
If you’re still deciding which venue you’re even headed to, our Hollywood Pantages, Ahmanson, and Dolby venue pages cover seating, parking, and getting there in detail.
FAQ
Where do Broadway shows play in Los Angeles? Mostly at two houses. The Hollywood Pantages (run by Broadway in Hollywood) gets the big touring musicals, and the Ahmanson downtown (run by Center Theatre Group) runs its own season of tours and original productions. A few shows overflow to the Dolby Theatre near the Pantages.
What Broadway musical is playing in LA right now? As of mid-June 2026, Hell’s Kitchen is finishing its run at the Pantages through June 21, with Mamma Mia! opening at the Ahmanson on June 23 and the new Phantom of the Opera opening at the Pantages on June 24. Check our What’s On hub for the current list.
What’s the cheapest way to see a Broadway show in LA? Usually the digital lottery or day-of rush at the box office, not resale sites. Under-25 programs and student rush can get you in even cheaper. Our cheap-tickets guide and lottery cheat sheet have the exact steps and windows.
Is the Pantages or the Ahmanson better? Neither is “better,” they’re different. The Pantages is the larger, classic Hollywood house with the headline tours and a Metro stop underneath. The Ahmanson is downtown at the Music Center, a bit more intimate, with its own season. Pick based on the show you want and which neighborhood is easier for you.
Do I need to dress up for a Broadway show in LA? No. There’s no dress code at any major LA theatre. Smart casual works everywhere, and nice jeans are completely fine.
