The Samueli Theater is located behind the Segerstrom Concert Hall and looks like the kind of venue you expect women in fancy dresses and men in black ties to congregate. Since I was there for the Mayor’s Art of Leadership celebration, this is the exact scene I walked into.
The Samueli Theater is home to the Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale… but the space is also used for different special events like the celebration I attended. The Patina Group (same company that serves the Walt Disney Music Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles) caters these on-site functions exclusively.
There was a red carpet set up outside leading up to the side of the building, where standing tables were set up and a couple of outdoor bars served complimentary wine and cocktails.
The lobby is pretty spacious with beige limestone everywhere, and the glass façade includes a marquee of frosted laminated glass panels. The double doors led into a main room with Maple hardwood floors, a stage, and jazz and cabaret style seating chart tables for guests. The mezzanine featured a handful of tables as well.
I See OC 