Theatre Asylum

The Technical Director, Aaron Lyons, is amazing. He is one of the most knowledgeable, hard-​working theater runners in town.

2015 Unilocal 100 CHALLENGE — ⁰⁸⁹⁄₁₀₀
Came by to see a show at the Fringe Festival and it was a fun experience. Theater is small, maybe holds 50 people? Seats were old but pretty comfortable. Only negative is that a chair in our row was broken and to get to the seating, you had to walk onto the stage and back down off the stage. Overall, this is a cute community theater and we enjoyed ourselves.

We went on the Friday before Valentine’s. Had an awesome time! The production was so funny. I love live theatre and this cast was incredible.

This review is for Pulp Shakespear at Theater Asylum. Wow, what a cool show! Really fun and inventive rendition of Quenton Tarrantino’s Pulp Fiction done in the Shakespeare idiom. This is a witty and fast paced homage to a great classic movie. The cast is wonderful, especially the «Mia Wallace» and «Vincent Vega». «Butch» and «Marcellus» are also spot on. If you are a fan of Pulp Fiction then you will love this play. It is so worth the price of the ticket. Go see it now! It’s a hot show so reserve your tickets today.

Seats were comfortable, bathrooms were CLEAN and very pleasant, free easy close street parking. Only environmental issue I didnt like were chairs placed in front of front row inches from stage, with those patrons then blocking a lot of view. But that isn’t fault of Theatre. Site says 82 seats so I doubt chairs are included in the count. I’d definitely return due to nice ambience and superb script & acting in Pulp Shakespeare.

i had both good and bad experiences with this place with only one visit.
so, first of all, i attempted to purchase tickets online. it took me three tries before it said my payment was accepted, and then when i got to the venue, my name wasn’t on the list. i never got a confirmation email, but it did charge my card, so i showed them my bank statement on my phone and they let me in.
also, i should mention that i’m not familiar with this part of town, and heads up, it’s not good.
but on to the show! the theater is very small, which i like. makes it more intimate. i came to see the «latina christmas special» which i thoroughly enjoyed.
i would go back, but only after purchasing tickets over the phone and making someone walk from my car to the building and back with me.

I was invited to see a friend perform at Theatre Asylum during the Hollywood Fringe Festival. The «theatre» is really more of a complex of small theaters within a single building.
When I found the actual theater where the play was being held, a line was forming outside of the door and a lady behind a small table outside was checking people in and handing out the programs. The space is intimate, seating no more than 30 – 40 people and the stage is close enough so that the audience is right in on the action. Seating is on a first come, first served basis so plan accordingly.
Theatre Asylum is a nice space for smaller performances. The tickets were inexpensive (at least for the show that I saw) and there is plenty of street parking nearby.

I’m a little biased because I’m doing a show in this complex for the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2014. But great people run the space and both Asylum and Elephant are two of my favorite 99 seat theatres in town. Not a bad seat in the house and I’ve seen plenty of great productions there from The Trunk Show (a storytelling evening at The Elephant) to Pulp Shakespeare at Asylum. And hye, if you’re reading this review and you want to see the show I’m doing for FREE, use the discount code « Unilocal» at the Hollywood Fringe website for TOTAL NOVICE:

I had a great time at «the Pokemusical» showing at Theatre Asylum. Thanks, Katie B. for the heads up!
The theatre is small and probably seats about 50 people. Best thing about this is that you can see the stage and the actors clearly. There aren’t any reserved seats, so come here early.
I really enjoyed watching Pokemusical… I didn’t know what to expect of the show except that it was something to do wth pokemon. I don’t think I have laughed so much in an evening… it was so much fun! I was impressed by the talented cast and the witty, and well-​written script. Every single cast member was amazing and looked like they were having as much fun as the audience.
There is street parking, just come early so you can snag the spots right in front. Overall, a great show and theatre. I highly recommend coming here.

Parking is hell (i.e. there *isn’t* any), but they don’t really have any control over that. The space itself, though, is intimate but quite comfy. (Their seats are seriously the most comfortable seats I’ve ever seen in a theater.)

I had a great time at «the Pokemusical» showing at Theatre Asylum this past Wednesday night. My partner and I even left the show singing a Jigglypuff version of Canon in D. I didn’t know what to expect of the show (other than singing and a story about Pokemon), but I was impressed by the musical talents of the cast and the witty, well-​written script. Every single cast member was supremely talented and it looked like they were enjoying themselves and the show, which definitely set a fun mood for the audience. Our show was sold out and I’m guessing overbooked because people without seats plopped themselves down on the stairs, which otherwise serves as the aisle between the two section of seats. I even saw a few people who stood against the wall the whole time. I’m glad we arrived early and were able to grab seats together.
The venue itself is pretty small, but because it’s theater style seating, there’s really no bad seat there. Actually, I’d recommend sitting second row or further back because I feel like you might get accidentally spit on in the first row. Generally speaking, nearly every seat will give you a great view of the stage.
For this show in particular, there was no reserved seating. If this is the case for other performances, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime. I believe some parties who arrived late were not able to sit together, others had to sit on the floor.
My only suggestion for the Hollywood Fringe Festival next year is that they better label each venue (there were at least 3 different venues on that same block). Better signage would have eliminated the confusion of guests who couldn’t figure out which entrance was theirs and avoided the big blob of people that took over Santa Monica Blvd.
Parking: A couple of Unilocalers mentioned free parking, but as far as I could tell, there is no dedicated lot. Everything is street parking. We arrived an hour before showtime and luckily found street parking on nearby side street, Lillian Way. I recommend checking that street first since it’s right next to the venue and there is a studio (I think?) nearby, which means the area is well-​lit. Exploring further out on those side streets is definitely a risk because the area is seedy, so I recommend staying close by or looking for street parking on Santa Monica Blvd (where there’s more people and street lights).

I went to see the show «How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse» and has a great time. I went in not knowing what to expect but walked out knowing how to survive the inevitable zombie takeover.
Anyway, the show itself was an improv comedy show and was pretty funny. The actors are really talented, and the small size of theater facilities interaction between the actors and the audience (even those in the back row). The seats were reasonably comfortable and getting in and out of the theater was easy. The only issues were getting through the slow traffic on Santa Monica Blvd. and finding parking. The theater is located in a somewhat sketchy area, and only street parking is available. But overall, I had a great night and will check out future shows. Definitely worth the price of admission!

very cute little intimate theatre.
saw the AMAZING one woman show «Alien Citizen» starring Lisa Liang directed by Sophia Calderon.
the show is funny, brave, charming, cute, passionate, and heartfelt. i highly recommend this show.
the human race is so spoiled with our TV and movies… i challenge you Unilocalers to spice up your life with one live theatre event per month. you won’t regret it. it makes you appreciate being human and you’ll enjoy your life (AND your TV) all the more. enjoy the show!

Very small venue (which is quaint). Theater seating is good, although the second seat in the second row (first row of theater seats, right behind the regular chairs), has been broken for months. Not sure why it is not being fixed. You have to leave the building, and go down to street to use a bathroom… which, is a bit scary, if it is dark out and you are alone.
We saw Pulp Shakespeare, which was a really fun show (Definitely re-​watch the movie before you come to the show, for best effects).
Last night we saw «How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse», which was not so good. Honestly, if it was not such a small theater, and I wouldn’t be center stage if I stood up, I would have left before the show was done (like 15 minutes into it).
On street parking, no idea where the ‘free parking’ is.

The Theater Asylum is this inconspicuous little building at the corner of Sta. Monica & Lillian, You’ll see a line up of people outside waiting for their chance to witness the brilliance and performance of those gifted individuals who will be performing on stage. The theaters are small but perfect for this kind of events, this is basically what up close and personal look and feel like. It is one of those things where the actors could actually tell an unsuspecting texter to put the damn phone away and listen LOL
Clowns, Goddesses & Tough Guys was the very first show I’ve seen at Theater Asylum and it was great. James Schneider did a fantastic performance! What a versatile actor.
With a great first impression and experience, I would definitely come back to watch the other shows.

OK, I’m biased. Yes, on occasion I perform here, and I really like it.
However, I’ve also seen shows in both spaces at Theatre Asylum, and they are both fine and comfy places to kick back and see a show. There’s no end to the variety of material that gets performed here: Pulp Shakespeare, for instance, has been playing for almost a year, and it’s silly fun. You can see musicals, straight plays, improv, war dramas, and, of course, lots of solo shows.
Theatre Asylum is run by Matthew Quinn: an amiable, likable ambassador of the Arts for L.A. He is instrumental in curating and facilitating the Hollywood Fringe Festival (2012 is its 3^rd year). The Fringe almost needs its own category — with over 200 different pieces available to check out throughout Hollywood. And this year, Unilocal is an Official Sponsor, too.
So, check out Theatre Asylum. Park on Lillian or maybe on SMB. Just be dang sure to check the signs. And within the building’s structure, you’ll find two other, non Theatre Asylum spaces (The Elephant, and the Lillian). So much to be found in one building!
Check the listings to see if whatever show you’re looking at is kid-​friendly. Also, there’s been occasion to see some tix on Goldstar.

So I see free parking as a review but I must not have done my homework because I couldn’t find it. Not complaining, there’s street parking and it’s free too.
The theatre is pretty small but the seats are nice and comfy. There isn’t much leg room though. I’m only 5’2 and even I felt a tad bit cramped. Plus my friend later let me know that the lady behind her would kick her seat whenever she readjusted in her seat. I can see how that can be annoying, but that was her experience, not mine.
It’s such a small venue, I don’t see how there could be a bad seat in the house. It’s also stadium seating so it’s nice not to have to peer over someone’s ill-​placed head.

I’ve watched quite a few plays/​shows at this theater ever since I moved out to LA. I found out about Carved in Stone, Play Dates, How To Survive A Zombie Apocalypse, and Pulp Shakespeare through Goldstar. I like the small, intimate setting and any seat in the theater is a good seat.
Although the surrounding area seems kind of sketchy, I’ve never had a problem walking on that block. Street parking at night is pretty easy to find.

I will watch anything once…
So I came here to watch Pulp Shakespear and felt more than satisfied with the performance, but the theater lent its self to comfort as well.
To start there is FREE parking, seats are comfy/​cozy, and there is just one price for all tickets b/​c there is not one bad seat to view from.

Pulp Shakespeare! Yes, that is a Shakespearian rendition of Pulp Fiction!
Theater Asylum is a small and quaint little theater in Hollywood. It seats only about 40 – 50 people and even sitting in the back of the theater (back against the wall), you could see the stage and actors clearly. The seats are plush, but if you get stuck in the back row, be prepared to sit on a wooden bench.
Seating is first come first serve, so get there early!