Masque Macabre is the Chicago version of the notorious “Sleep No More,” the New York immersive theatre experience that debuted in 2011 and is still running at the McKittrick Hotel, a 5-story pseudo hotel warehouse in Chelsea.
Created by the British theatre company Punchdrunk, the award-winning Sleep No More is based on Shakespeare’s Scottish tragedy told through a film noir lens. Inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Masque Macabre interweaves 14 storylines of revenge and murder played out in real time.
We gather in the “blue room” at Strawdog Theatre’s new residence in North Center to sign an NDA (fake), don black masks, and get into character for the show. We’re informed of the premise: Prescott (Henry Greenberg), a bad boy entrepreneur, is arriving soon, and we’re invited to join the party on the condition we mingle and don’t disclose that we’re average people (not the glamorous type he usually expects). We wander from room to room, witnessing the actors dance, quarrel, discuss, run about, and (eventually) start killing each other.
Two stocked bars and a spooky, fascinating set that is one-part phony art exhibition, and one-part mini mansion a la Clue provide the backdrop for our murder mystery show. We walk through a dark room where in the walls are covered with curious objects: uniform push button telephones (you hear surreal music if you listen through an earpiece), giant television monitors. If you stand in the right place you see yourself on camera in one of the monitors.
Multiple plots of revenge start to occur. A man screams as he is tied up and gagged, and then enclosed inside a wall. Multiple murders occur on the premises, while we the audience are drawn into the story as spectators. A raven motif is played out in the form of a giant black bird that appears ominously.
The actors in this ensemble are fiercely in character, and it’s their strong, vivid performances that make this experience entertaining, in this writer's view. Deaths occur, and it’s up to the audience to piece together the story. With 14 stories running concurrently, it’s perhaps a challenge to follow the various plots and figure out why each act of revenge occurred. A great date night, or evening out with friends, Masque Macabre is an ambitious, highly creative endeavor that’s perfect for this time of year.
Recommended
Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read – Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.
CAST:
Michael Reyes
Andrew Bailes
Dan Cobbler
Katie Gonzalez
Henry Greenberg
Adam Hinkle
Brian Hinkle
Patrick TJ Kelly
Laura Nelson
Ella Raymont
Colin Quinn Rice
Shaina Schrooten
Anne Sheridan Smith
Julian Stroop
CREATIVE:
Michael Dailey
Claire Chrzan
Heath Hays
Kyle Hamman
Tom Burch
Virginia Varland
Shelbi Arndt
Daniel Friedman
Lacie Hexom
Bobby Wilhelmson
Kate Lass
Mike Sanow
Megan Gray
WHEN:
Through October 31, 2018
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7pm and 9pm
Sundays at 2pm and 5pm
Additional Halloween Week Performances:
October 29-31, 2018 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) at 7pm and 9:30pm
WHERE:
Strawdog Theatre Company
1802 W Bernice Ave
Chicago IL 60642
For tickets and more information please visit strawdog Website
All Photos by Clark Bender
Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago
About the Author
Marla Seidell is an actress, writer, and blogger. She has covered independent film, music, visual art, theater, dining, fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle for a wide range of outlets, including ARTNEWS, Artslant.com, Citysearch.com, the New York Post, Timeout Chicago, Newcity, ALARM, The Daily Herald, ReelChicago.com, and The A.V. Club. Marla has performed in over 30 short and feature films and was nominated for Best Actress at the 2015 Laugh or Die Comedy Film Festival. Favorite stage roles include God (Our Christian Nation, Cornservatory) and various eccentric roles in This, That, and The Other Thing (On The Spot Theatre Co.) Marla graduated Honors, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Hofstra University, and was a Fulbright in the Netherlands.
See her current work on Marla Seidell Facebook.
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