by P.C.Clarke

This ‘I have reservations’ column was originally conceived as a place for me, a non-actor, non-theatre member, average Joe-Theatre-goer (and all around over-user of dashes) to provide an audience point of view with respect to the actual experience of attending small theatre in Los Angeles. I do not attempt to review the actual performances or works performed on stage. For which you should all be extremely thankful, in this season of giving thanks.

Mostly, I bitch about things I find annoying.

Today I find myself a little light-headed and unsure of myself. I attended a performance at The Colony Theatre in Burbank last week and was… stunned. What a wonderful theatre.

The evening’s experience started with going to their website. It is everything you need. No problems, no unanswered questions, fast, informative and up to date. www.colonytheatre.org.

The next hurdle for me as a patron is parking. The Colony is located at the Burbank Media Center Mall (a very clear map on their website) and has it’s own entrance from the parking garage, complete with large clear signs overhead directing you to the theatre. Oh, and its FREE.

We got there early and were able to walk around the mall and get ice cream. Always a plus in my book of ways to make an evening better.

Great. Next, my date and I entered the theatre lobby. Large, bright and spotless, the lobby is (should be) the envy of small theatres everywhere. Glass cabinets hold awards. The walls are covered with framed pictures of past performances and actors. There is comfortable seating (which is a good thing as their average patron is not young). There is a concession stand for coffee and snacks. There is a real box office. There are real, modern and clean restrooms easily accessed from the lobby! And oh my god people are, mostly, well dressed. Not in Tuxes, mind you, but not in t-shirts either.

And the good experiences continue. Clear announcements regarding the opening of the house. A nice section of the lobby set aside for an exhibition of photos. Assigned seating. Ushers to help you. A large theatre obviously professionally equipped. Relatively comfortable seating. Good sight lines. Quiet air conditioning. A well made program. After the performance, exiting to my car took about three minutes.

All in all, a very good experience from the point of view of an audience member. I will not comment on the play, that is outside the scope of this piece.

I have to admit that The Colony obviously has better resources than most small theatres. I hesitate to even include it as a “small” theatre but it isn’t the Taper or the Ahmanson. They have created a great local theatre. Starting small, they have used their resources and the community wisely have achieved an impressive result.

I implore all members of small theatres in the Los Angeles area to attend a show at The Colony and experience, what I think, is the way an audience should be treated.

Congratulations Colony!