Last Remaining Seats: Mel Brooks, Cloris Leachman, and Young Frankenstein

When my friend Adam asked me if I was interested in attending a Last Remaining Seats event at the Los Angeles Theatre (The answer was "Of course!"), I had no idea that the event was going to be more than a screening of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein"...

Pre-Show:
Think Downtown's Broadway Avenue with a really long line of people...a long line stretching out a few blocks...separated only by a couple of streetlights.

That was my welcoming sight to the event. My thoughts? "Wow, that's a long line" and "No wonder these things are sold out."

In the Los Angeles Theatre: Built on Broadway between 1911 and 1931, this theatre is known as the last and most extravagant of the movie palaces. Without getting into architectural details that I have no expertise in, all I can really say is that it's an amazing theatre with crystal chandaliers, mirrors, and ornate columns and walls.

It even has a ballroom. I felt like Cinderella - minus the prince, the gown, and the glass slippers.

Pre-Movie: If the setting wasn't amazing enough, how about a surprise appearance by Mel Brooks and Cloris Leachman?! Before the screening, the audience was given an unexpected visit and conversation with these talented and comedic celebrities. In a theatre dimly lit, you couldn't miss the laughter, applause, and even the smiles.

The Movie: It's Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" on a ginormous screen. If you haven't seen it - you should. A hilarious "adaptation" of the Mary Shelley classic, shot in black and white film in the 70s, Dr. Frankenstein's grandson has inherited it all...including the secret of reanimated life that leads to hijinks and hilarity.

Post-Movie: Prior to the event, a nice woman next to us gave us a restaurant recommendation at the Tranquility Base Restaurant on 8th/Hill which offers food up until 2am. She pulled out a "Nights on the Town" in Historic Downtown flyer, featuring restaurants that are a part of a limited promotion organized by the Downtown LA Retail. Barely missing the dinner menu, we did enjoy the late night menu and the cool ambiance of the restaurant, which included big screens with classic film reels and an outdoor patio with a fire place.

All the Last Remaining Seats events sell out annually. Make plans early next year because even the line before you get in is worth seeing.

-Charity Tran, ExperienceLA.com Web Coordinator

Behind the Curtains...

Life After Tomorrow is an award-winning documentary that reunites more than forty women who played orphans in the Broadway production of ANNIE, revealing the highs and lows of their experiences as child actresses in a cultural phenomenon—from out-of-control stage mothers to being replaceable at the age of 12. At the age of 12? Talk about potential lifelong complexes waiting to happen. If you want to check it out, the DVD will be on sale February 26th...

Live theater and Broadway's always been associated with the streets of New York, but I wonder how many people ever think back to the once thriving Broadway Theater District in LA's Historic Core, comprised of 12 theaters concentrated in a 7 block span? Even in the present day, the theaters are still preserved in their unique architecture and character; and while LA might now be more known for Rodeo Drive and the glamour of Hollywood, LA definitely has its own historical theater culture to boast about as well.

Here's an interesting fact of the day: The Los Angeles Theater's 1931 opening featured Charlie Chaplin and his movie "City Lights".

Check out ExperienceLA for live theater events taking place all around greater LA.

-Sarah Koo, ExperienceLA Arts/Culture Marketing Assistant