The former Crest movie theater in Westwood, built in 1940, has been beautifully born again as the UCLA Nimoy Theater for live performance. Programmed by the UCLA Center for the Art of Performance, the Nimoy is an intimate, state-of-the art space where diverse artists develop and present new work.
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The Entrance
The majestic entrance on Westwood Boulevard was painstakingly restored. The former concession stand in the lobby is now an elegant, retro-style bar; the starry ceiling is reminiscent of the former fiber optic ceiling of “tiny stars” in the theater itself, which was removed.
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The Interior
The renovation preserved the interior created in a 1987 makeover, one that transformed the formerly austere space into a Hollywood fantasyland. The Art Deco architectural details are reminiscent of the grand movie palaces of an earlier era.
Murals
Black-lighted murals on both sides of the theater’s interior vividly depict 1930s-era landmarks, including the Pantages Theater in Hollywood and Ralph’s Market in Westwood Village.
Seating
The number of seats was reduced from 500 to 299 to accommodate a larger stage and to create an atmosphere of intimacy, with close proximity to the performers.
Stage
The stage was enlarged and extended to provide more space for performance and position the artists closer to the audience.