A spruced-up stage in Westwood

WHEN audiences leave the Geffen Playhouse in mid-November, they’ll be sizing up how John Goodman fared as Big Daddy in the Gil Cates production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” But there’s another surefire topic of conversation: the theater’s new look.

Thanks to a $17-million renovation, the Westwood venue named for Hollywood mogul David Geffen promises better seats, sightlines and acoustics, larger restrooms -- and no more steps at the entrance to the auditorium.

In fact, the previous entrance and center aisle are gone. Now there are two entrances and aisles, which should reduce the number of times early-arriving theatergoers have to rise to make way for latecomers who are in the middle of their row.

Even with the extra aisle space, the seating capacity is up to 522 from the previous 499. The extended mezzanine includes two VIP boxes and is elevator-accessible. Backstage, the wings, dressing rooms and offices have been expanded. And actors should appreciate that they’ll no longer have to pass from one side of the stage to the other via the lobby -- now they’ll have passageways under the stage.

Invited guests will see the makeover at an October gala, but the first production for the public will be Tennessee Williams’ “Cat,” which opens Nov. 16 and will also feature Brenda Fricker as Big Mama.

On Nov. 18, the new 117-seat Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater, adjacent to the main auditorium, will open with “My Buddy Bill,” a solo show by and featuring Rick Cleveland about his somewhat marginal relationship with a former U.S. president.

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“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Geffen Playhouse, Nov. 16-Dec. 18. “My Buddy Bill,” Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, Nov. 18-Dec. 18. More at www.geffenplayhouse.com.