A lot of Broadway started here. La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer, has sent 37 productions to Broadway and won 42 Tony Awards. Big River, The Who’s Tommy, Jersey Boys and Come From Away all went from the Playhouse to Broadway, and The Outsiders, which premiered there in 2023, won the 2024 Tony for Best Musical.
Before or after a show
La Jolla Playhouse: tickets and the current season.
Dora Ristorante: Southern Italian in the same Theatre District, opened November 2025.
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center: La Jolla’s other stage, in the Village.
Premieres that went on
The Playhouse lists world premieres including Come From Away (2015), Escape to Margaritaville (2017), Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2017), Diana (2019), The Outsiders (2023) and Redwood (2024). Best Musical Tony winners that began there include Big River, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jersey Boys, Memphis and The Outsiders.
On stage this fall
GRIM, a world-premiere musical, runs October 27 to December 6, 2026, extended due to demand, with the best availability from November 24. The Playhouse is on the UC San Diego campus at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
Did Jersey Boys start at La Jolla Playhouse?
Yes. It premiered at the Playhouse in 2004 before going to Broadway.
Is La Jolla Playhouse near the beach?
No. It is on the UC San Diego campus at 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., a short drive from the Village.