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the main stage will open in 1983. In the meantime, the Pasadena Playhouse Interim Theater is now in its third season. Similarly, it must be noted that famed Old Globe in San Diego re-opened its doors in January after fire destroyed this Southern California landmark in 1978.

The opening of the new Earl Carroll Theater in Hollywood in October '82 will add two more houses to the L.A. theater explosion. The larger 700-seat Cabaret will present to the L.A.-cast musicals, while the 350-seat Backstage will offer dramas, comedies and small-scale musicals in a more intimate setting. The Carroll was last known as the Aquarius Theatre, which presented "Hair" and "Zoot Suit". The original Earl Carroll Theatre Restaurant, built in 1938, was a masterpiece of Art Deco design. The new complex will combine the elegance of that era with contemporary concepts.

Workshops also abound in Los Angeles to train and polish the working actor. Some workshops are devoted to improvisational comedy and have showcase theaters. "Off the Wall," "Funny You Should Ask," The Groundlings" and "Mice" regularly schedule performances for the public. Many workshops, such as the one run by the late Harvey Lembeck, have produced an impressive number of comedy actors. Robin Williams, John Ritter, Penny Marshall and Al Molinaro are graduates of workshop training. The Comedy Stores in Westwood and on the Sunset Strip and the Improv in West Hollywood introduce new comic talent as well as "name" comedians.

Dinner theatres, of course, are popular entertainment outlets for Southland visitors as well as the local public. The Grand, Sebastian's West, The Harlequin and the Curtain Call present such favorites as Yvonne DeCarlo, Dorothy Lamour, Cyd Charisse and Vivian Blaine in musicals and light comedies.

With the enthusiastic support of the public, Los Angeles is far from cultural wasteland. From the larger theatres to the network of smaller, supporting showcases L.A.'s theater is exciting, creative, daring, innovative and, most importantly, now recognized as the number two theater market in the country.

[[image - Randolph]]

[[image -Sammy Davis, Jr.]]

[[image - Billy D. Williams and Molly Moon

[[image - Bobby Short and Beverly Peters]]

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