Speakeasy Dollhouse is a truly fun immersive theater event where you can be as involved or as uninvolved as you prefer, and all the action/romance/violence/intrigue happens in the space around you. You arrive through a relatively creepy outdoor alleyway guarded by some probably-corrupt policemen. If you get there early enough, you'll witness what appears to be an assault of some kind (more on that later). After passing through a tiny Alice-in-Wonderlandesque door, you find yourself in the 1920s. It's hard to tell at first what's going on and where to look, but if you ask around, you'll eventually find Frank Spano, the proprietor. From there the love triangle surrounding him becomes apparent, and story starts to unfold. There's good swingy jazz, varied drinks (served in teacups or paper bags, a la prohibition style), a lot of good looking people, and a fair amount of pageantry (burlesque, singing, fighting, a funeral, gunplay, a murder trial, etc.). Look to get paid off by local mobsters to lie in court, gossip with local crooked politicians over poker and whiskey, walk in on an illicit affair or marital spat, or get into the smuggling business by brokering a deal between Spano and the local authorities to release his impounded truck full of Canadian Club. If you've got a strong back, become a pallbearer at Frank's funeral. Don't miss seeing the nude corpses in the medical examiners office, including the person on the losing end of the assault I mentioned earlier. Not for the faint of heart. The best part of the story is that its all based on actual events in creator Cynthia von Buhler's family history. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction, but whether or not it's all really true, you will have fun one way or another. My advice is not to come with people you haven't seen in a while, because I t's better if you have to strike out on your own a bit to mingle and become a part of the story. Even if you just go for a night out on the town with no intention of talking to anyone other than your SO, dress up in your 1920s finest so you can be an extra in everyone else's fantasy, which is a great way to spend a Saturday evening. read more

Speakeasy Dollhouse - These doors have been appearing around town for a while. There's a QR code inside for speakeasy dollhouse site. Clever! - Performing Arts Near Me

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I like this play so much I have seen it twice and will probably go again when I'm next in NYC. The producers have done an amazing job of recreating an authentic speakeasy ambience in an old LES tenement. I felt like I'd stepped back in time and loved that so many participants dressed up and took their roles seriously. On my first visit, I was cast as Dominick's teacher and I loved my role. Both Mary Spano and her son, Dominick, made me feel as if I was really part of their story. It's hard for me to think of them as actors because I so thoroughly identified with them and their story. Stepping back, though, all the actors were terrific and very welcoming. They seamlessly absorb the crowd in the story. But Mary Spano and Dominick's performances really stood out. I felt for both these characters and especially for Mary. I was there when she was in labor, holding her hand and praying with her. On my second visit, I was cast as Dutch Schultz' girlfriend. Dutch was very quick with the improvised repartee we exchanged and handsome to boot; so I enjoyed that role and got to confront his wife by the bar. Still my favourite spot was in Mary's room - where a lot of the key action unfolds, including the secrets we learn about the Spano marriage. Mary and Dominick delivered poignant performances each time. And the atmosphere inside the Speakeasy is sexy and fun. Highly recommended for a great evening out. read more

Speakeasy Dollhouse - Dutch Schultz, gangster, and me, acting as his estranged and deranged ex-girlfriend (making him a little nervous). - Performing Arts Near Me

The most fun I've had at the theatre! I feel like this is a more user friendly immersive show than Sleep No More. You follow the actors around and can actually engage with them. If you have any questions they answer, usually with jokes or flirtation to really keep you engaged in the show! Not to mention the costumes and set are gorgeous! Everywhere you look there's something beautiful to see. Be sure to dress up so you blend in, you won't regret it! read more

Absolutely loved the show: We spent the day researching 20s and 30s makeup, clothing, hair, and NYC accents at that time. This was an experience we knew in advance was immersive (especially after reading the reviews) and we wanted to become part of the show. Snow had us running about 30 minutes late, which wasn't a big deal at all because we were able to get a drink right away as some action was happening. Drinks were NOT as expensive as the reviews made them to be. $24 for a martini AND a manhattan with top shelf liquor is a deal! Where do these people normally drink, from a bag? Maybe I'm a spoiled gal that has had her share of $24 martinis at the Ritz, but they way I saw things it was 2 for 1! Especially surprising given the venue/atmosphere where pricey drinks are common. I will say that following the connection between events was difficult, perhaps because of our late arrival. But my fun was had by saddling up to strangers because most thought I was part of the show. The wishful actress in me loved it. The BF was equally as into the 'acting' concept and we separated early in the evening in an effort to have different experiences that we could share later over dinner. I read the 'Sleep no More' comparison in another review - not even CLOSE! This was more 'cheesy' fun where I found SNM to be sexy and creepy-cool. You can't talk in SNM, here it was encouraged. Masks vs. costumes - there really isn't a comparison in the concept either. Anyone who would say that doesn't know much about the eras or the concepts that each venue is trying to create. Not to mention that SNM is more about movement dance, where this event was way more scaled down immersive theater. To the reviewer who balked at the price - I had literally 20 times more fun at this event than a Broadway show which we have paid more than $300/ticket for. I also want to point out that several of the attendees (50% or more) were not dressed to the time period and doing things like taking selfies with a dead body instead of doing what the instructions said, "Ignore the advice your parents gave you when you were a child. Be nosy and talk to strangers." We had a chuckle after because we knew that the negative reviews here were coming from regularly dressed people who were sitting on the sofa and waiting for something to happen to them. NOT THE POINT! Boring! If you are cheap then pre-game, definitely dress to the period, spend the day listening to big band music while getting ready and find a fabulous (fake) fur coat and garter belt (ladies) or derby cap and suit (gents) to throw on - (or switch that order up, I'm not judging). Thanks to the 'cast' who didn't mind my stealing some thunder at the end one bit! Good times, great evening. read more

If you like the speakeasy era you will love this place! Unlike Sleep No More, you can actually interact with the actors and also become one yourself! A good tip I got was to dress the part and mingle, so I did. As it turns out the patrons really thought I was part of the cast. After a few drinks from the full bar, I really got into it. We went as a group of 8 and everyone dressed up. I highly recommend going. One thing I will mention though is that we had VIP tables which we didn't even use because we were walking around the place all the time. If you really want a table get it up front rather than the back. Also no one knows that the tables are reserved so they just sit where ever. I wouldn't mind going back! read more

Our party of four all agreed that Speakeasy Dollhouse was a "different" immersive theater experience. You buy your tickets and don't hear a thing about the location (102 Norfolk street in the Backroom bar) until a few days before the show is about to kick off. You will get a series of documents emailed to you that are helpful to read so that you have a sense of the timeline and a sense of the story and characters. You're not given TOO much information and there is still a lot that happens that isn't included in the documents, but is easy to follow. The actors did a great job of interacting with the "audience" by saying, "Did you hear that blah blah blah happened?!" or "Do you know what happened to____?! Let me tell/show you!" The Backroom is a great venue for the show with it's velvety wallpaper, dark red couches and a secret bookcase that leads into a room where scandalous things may go down (wink wink). Drinking bourbon out of tea cups is kind of fun and you can buy some coffee or cannolis on your way in. Advice: The actors WANT to engage with you. Talk to them. Seek them out. Fulfill your role which could be anything from finding out a secret from Mary or telling Anna your a priest and she needs to confess her sins. Hit on a dancer. Sit down for a game of cards. Go and immerse yourself! That's what this show is all about. My favorite character was Dutchy (although he's a bad guy - I thought he was one of the most responsive and fun characters, and certainly the most boisterous). I also loved the cigar smoking Judge who sent me on a mission to deliver a message for him in which I got my palm greased with a little speakeasy cash. I found the general flow of the show easy enough to follow. I didn't feel like I had to fight my way through to see anything although certain scenes (the shooting, the funeral) were more crowded than others. Going with friends meant that we talked and laughed in between things going on and were well entertained for 2 straight hours. The music and dancing were a highlight for all of us. Dress up in 1920/1930's garb if you feel like it! Not everyone was, but most people were at least wearing "nicer" clothes (dresses, beads, heels, vests, etc) which definitely helps makes you feel part of the show going on around you. The doors opened at 5 and when we walked in, things were in full swing. The show was over by 7:10. Speakeasy Dollhouse is headed to an off-Broadway theater in April. Not sure what this means for the current show but it sounds like they may have a lot more tricks up their sleeve making for an even more fun night out on the town. read more

Let me preface this with a warning: do not attempt to experience this show sober. The fact that it has "speakeasy" in the title should be a tip-off, but I've been to other immersive theater (Sleep No More, Then She Fell) that absolutely did not require inebriation. Naively, I thought this would be a good activity for "Sober September" (which is a thing you occasionally have to do as a New Yorker so you can become a cheap date again). So, Speakeasy Dollhouse is sort of the same idea as Sleep No More, except that instead of doing beautiful dances the actors yell a lot and keep pulling you aside to gossip. Everyone is drunk and Italian, so it's not unlike Christmas with your friend's dysfunctional family in Long Island. Speakeasy Dollhouse is also not a recommended experience for introverts (particularly sober ones). I'm pretty extroverted, but being approached immediately upon arrival by a crying pregnant woman asking me to find out if her husband was sleeping around was definitely not the irreverent night out I was expecting. My introverted husband was straight-up mortified. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but after about 45 minutes we decided we had to cut Sober September short by a few days. Of course, the second we get our fancy overpriced cocktails (whatever, it's Manhattan) in teacups, they shoo everyone outside to watch a scene, and we're told we can't bring drinks. Doh! I tried to stand on the stairs to watch said (pivotal) scene because I am five feet tall, but was hustled to the ground, where I was able to witness absolutely nothing, and also couldn't hear because I was standing next to the wall and they didn't cut the music inside. I missed my drink. Speakeasy Dollhouse still gets three stars because it's a cool concept: it was fun to watch everyone get a slip of paper and become really single-minded about accomplishing their task over the course of the evening. Also, some of the actors were genuinely engaging and talented (I especially liked the Medical Examiner), it's a beautiful space, and the costumes were fun. But seriously, don't try to see this sober. Definitely take the "coffee" at the door. Possibly get a drink beforehand. Or maybe two. Or five. read more

I attended a gorgeous performance in October and have not forgotten about it since. I wish we had something like this in Boston, but alas... The Speakeasy Dollhouse is unique, captivating, titillating and above all, INCLUSIVE. I was with a Producer and we both went in without ANY clue as to what we were in for...We left satiated and invigorated by the power of performance and entertainment that a show of this caliber can provide when done well. It's spot on and anyone would be charmed by its ambience and energy. The actors stay in character the entire time which makes you, the "audience" get a REAL sense of what it must have been like during those splendid days of yore. I would encourage anyone to go, get lost in the times, have a "secret drink" and appreciate great live theater. BRAVO SPEAKEASY!!! read more

This true-story immersive theater event is fascinating and fun, based on the author's grandfather's murder. It's not a whodunnit--you'll clearly see who kills him--but the reasons behind the murder are murky, and audience members can explore (and discuss) various motives. (To get the most out of this play, you should read the background material thoroughly, engage with the cast members, and, of course, dress up in prohibition-era clothes to help you stay in character as you perform your own part--which is assigned to you by a fortune-teller as you enter.) The burlesque and music perfectly complement the ambience, and every scene--from your first glimpse of the iron fence out front to the ghostly corpse--is a sumptuous delight, Beyond the visual and aural experience, what I really love is that this story stays with you well beyond the performance. I can't wait for The Brothers Booth, the author's next true-story immersive investigation! read more

I love basically anything Gatsby/Jazz Age/Prohibition Era/Speakeasy etc. I love to dress up and this was just another excuse to dress up. The only reason why this place even gets a star is because I think it would make a great dress up party, but in terms of theater, this isn't theater. I frequent Broadway shows almost weekly and this is unfortunately a big waste of money. Knowing that it would be silly, as most experiential theater has proven itself to be over the course of the years, I still wanted to go because of the Speakeasy and dress up part of it. The show made no sense, stuff is happening in various parts of the small and overcrowded lounge. They make you go outside when it was below zero and snowing outside (without jackets) to see the big murder scene. They lock you out of the back room if you didn't get the tip off from one of the actresses. They carry a coffin through the crowd (I think this is a judgement call thing, but I found it rather tacky and in bad taste). At least at a theater, people are seated so you can see the stage. With people running around and standing, unless you somehow happen to be in the right place at the right time, you miss out. A huge standing crowd in front of you means, heads and you can't see the performances. Some pretty mediocre dancing/burlesque so it's not like you miss much if you can't see, but if you want to call it theater certain things will be judged - the acting/singing/dancing/costumes/seats or lack thereof. Immersive it was NOT. You clearly knew who was a paid actor and who wasn't. Stop kidding yourselves people. All those reviews must have been written by the actors... It is hardly worth the ticket price. You finally got some breathing room as people got fed up and left. Drinks were overly expensive, $12-15 for a tiny (I mean tiny) espresso cup size drink. Coffee and cannoli were also $3 each. The idea of serving drinks in tea cups was novel and cute at first, but its just a way of making really expensive drinks that equate to above rooftop lounge prices once you had the equivalent amount of liquid. read more

What a disappointment. I've seen other interactive theater productions including Sleep No More and Then She Fell which I absolutely loved. This show was a complete amateur-hour. Even for $47 on Groupon it's absolutely not worth it. Theatre was packed over-capacity where it was very difficult to catch the main acts. The sets are minimalist, and there are very few areas to wander and discover. The entire production takes place in 3 rooms. Dancing and singing was mediocre...on par with what you might expect from cruise ship or Atlantic City theater. You're given a role and a passport, which sounds like an interesting concept but turns out to be completely useless to the plot... I get the sense that the actors aren't trained well on how to incorporate the roles into the act and seem confused when you approach them. Too many other awesome shows that pull off the interactive theater style more effectively. I'm truly surprised at the positive yelp reviews.... My guess is that those reviewers aren't aware of the other better quality shows out there. read more

We had so much fun here! A bunch of us went in varying levels of 20s-ish clothing (I totally rocked my vest) and after a brief wait, were admitted into what looked and felt more like a party than a bar. We were encouraged to interact with the actors, but I was more than content to play a few rounds of cards (as per my role) and let much of the story unfold before me as I sipped my sazerac (served in a teacup and saucer, no less!) Granted, the vignettes that told the story were of varying quality, and strict historical accuracy was out the window, but all in all, it was a great time. Also, a pigeon landed on my head, which was pretty neat. Sad to knock a star off for the second sazerac - part of mixology is, you know, mixing, and this other bartender didn't seem to have that down. But that was my only gripe for an otherwise delightful, tasty night! read more

GO GO GO ! ! ! Absolutley fabtastic!!! If you desire to forget about your daily routine and fancy exploring time traveling with a group of friends dressed in 1920's attire this is the place to go. From beginning to the end you are drawn into proper corruption and drama ( with a tea cup of champagne in your hand) you will be witnessing and being part of the whole story. Besides the contiues changes of entertainment from burlesque dancers, singers, family Spano, the good and the bad guys, all actors are superb and really making this show an unforgettable experience. The venue is authentic and creates the perfect ambiance for this true story which hapened Downtown Manhattan 100 years ago. Great late afternoon out for a special occasion, or just escapism into another world, it was brilliant!!! read more

I went tonight to speakeasy dollhouse. I never write reviews but have seen than she fell and sleep no more and queen of the night all of which I do recommend seeing. A few things you should know about this play. It is set up at back room...which isn't the largest of setting as some of the scenes are in a bathroom and also the "back room " and even outside in the alleyway. There are about 100-150 people attending the event which makes it though to see some of the events as the layout is. Not optimal for that many people. If you have seen any of the aforementioned plays this one certainly lacks direction. Creativity, and acting. The acting is really bad to the point where I wasn't sure if it was a spoof or trying to be something somewhat serious Dominick prob has the most annoying voice and mother I have ever came across at a show. Dominick is played by a female but the voice used for the character sends chills down my spine. I literally would leave rooms when she started talking it was so whiny and bad. There are cocktails at the play which is a plus but what I did notice is the actors did not engage with the audience nearly as much as I thought. Many of the interactions I was part of and saw were audience members being proactive with the characters not the reverse. If you are shy do not go to this event. I can go on and on about how poor I thought the production was but just know I have seen the other plays I mentioned and this one was by far the worst and I could not possibly recommend it to anyone. read more

The best off Broadway/Broadway show experience in NYC!! I can't say enough good things about this interactive show! It's in a Speakeasy, you dress like you're apart of the 1930s, you watch and are involved in the show (not in a scary/nervous way), and you get to drink out of tea cups and mugs! When you arrive a gypsy gives you a slip of paper describing your roll. I had to relay a message to a character. The character makes you feel comfortable and interested in what you have to say. So fun how different scenes happen in different parts of the Speakeasy that you're being guided to check into from different characters. There's also a burlesque show that happens as well! A must see!!! read more

I have been to this twice already. Amazing experience and without providing any information here, so it doesn;t kill your experience - I would highly recommend try this out. Go there, be inquisitive - talk to actors and try and follow the clues. read more

Been to two Speakeasy Dollhouse shows, Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic and The Bloody Beginning. Both shows were very enjoyable. I thought the second time around wasn't going to be as fun because I knew what to expect, but that wasn't the case. Because of the change of venue and story they were able to keep things fresh. I'm looking forward to the next show. Make sure to have a drink or two which adds to the excitement! read more

If you want to have a truly entertaining evening in the city, this is the place to go to. Unpredictable and fast-paced, this play will carry you away back in time. Pasha Pellosie is terrific as Frank Spano. Actors are naturals and you will get the best feeling of being able to act and improvise yourself. read more

Everything Cynthia does is infused with enchantment. Please do yourself a hugely pleasurable favor , and go. Your heart will get bigger and prettier and luckier. I'm totally serious! read more

This performance should include 2 drinks in the [ridiculous] 50 dollar ticket price since you need to be drunk to even remotely enjoy the performance. Acting was between ham-handed and god-awful. The plot was so predictable as to be boring. Even the burlesque was semi-boring. You do see breasts. Big woop. Giving audience members roles to play was really fun for a minute or two, but then we realized there wasn't much we could do with them. Most people's "roles" just meant you had one dead-end interaction with an actor. The actors could have said "oh go find so and so to learn more" or "go look in this area of the set for a clue" and it might have been more fun. Yet they didn't and it was ultimately a bore. Experience was in no way fully "immersive" --- the set boasted a big electronic amp to boost the sound of the MC among other things that threw you completely out of the moment. The mortician was a set piece similar to what you'd see in a 5-dollar haunted house. It seemed thrown together and sloppy, an excuse for drunk NYers to play dress up, which I could have done for free in my apartment. 2 stars because it was so bad we thought it was pretty funny. read more

As a big fan of immersive theater, I had high expectations for this show, whose premise sounded intruiging and exciting, but I was left disappointed. Although the characters do talk to you, the experience as a whole wasn't very engaging, and left me wanting more. It was more like being at a big theme party where you don't know anyone. The story ended up being less interesting than it first seemed, and the show itself is lacking in direction and performance, and most of the time it doesn't really feel like much is happening. Even though we tried to talk to people, a lot of the time my friends and I were left standing around. When something does happen though, there are way too many people for the space, so anyone who isn't extremely tall doesn't get to see much of the action through the crowd. When you compare it to the kind of performances, direction, and design that go into other shows of this nature, I felt that it wasn't worth the money (At the very least you should get a free drink, not an overpriced undersized one) so I would rather go see something else for the second or third time. read more

I love immersive theater (Sleep No More and Here Lies Love, more recently.) So when I found out about Speakeasy Dollhouse's The Bloody Beginning, it was a no brainer - ticket up and go! Do the same and let your inner child out to play. It's fun! It's hilarious! It's surprising. Talk to the actors and they'll talk back. Don't worry if you're lousy, they'll make you feel like a pro or at least take you seriously. Too shy to start a conversation? Never fear, there are plenty to eavesdrop on and you can do it shamelessly and unabashedly, or covertly - sidle up with your themed-drink in a mug and get an earful. Perhaps someone will tell you a secret. Perhaps you'll be witness to something atrocious and be called to testify. Volunteer to do it! And if you do, show up by squeezing yourself to the center of the action. There are shows in the show. Burlesque. Jazz musicians. Singers with voices that will melt your cold heart. Have a cannoli, as you listen. Drink it down with a "special" coffee. Don't forget your role. Hunt down the people you're instructed to look for and ask for "it." Even if you think the moment's wrong. Especially then. Is some of this cryptic? Yes, of course. You should journey into a mystery. This is your chance to be a walking piece in a live action set of "Clue" - except in a cooler setting and a lustier story with a gorier title: The Bloody Beginning. Also, if you get as lucky as I was, the big reveal will turn out to be that you spent part of the night with the talented and sweet writer/creator/director, Cynthia von Buhler. She also created the miniature dollhouse on display in one of the rooms - make sure you don't miss it. Friends' schedules conflicted, so I went to this play alone - heck, why not? It was awkward at first, like I'd showed up to a party where I knew absolutely no one. And then it started, and Cynthia and her cast just *made* the experience. The crowd eased into it and the story gelled. There *is* a story - and then there's *your" story, the one you leave with it and remember. More intimate than Sleep No More and just as memorable: go while you can! I just might go back for a second helping - and bring some friends this time. But if I don't, I'll definitely see Cynthia and her cast at Broadway! read more

My group and I attended the performance of "The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini" on 10/27 and were left incredibly underwhelmed and disappointed. For the $100 per ticket price, we were expected something along the lines of Sleep No More (which is something we've experienced multiple times and absolutely adore). This certainly was not that. We desperately wanted to love this experience, but were left feeling like we wasted money. - The production value is no way on par (2 of the members of my group ended up in a "doctor's office" that was essentially a closet) - the experience is in no way immersive (we spent most of the experience in the theater and lobby...instead of exploring the "3 floors of a townhouse" as was promised) - the acting is decent at best...downright atrocious at its worst - the story is not clear or properly unfolded - the show was incredibly crowded, which led to massive confusion and disorganization - different groups are all smushed in the same space, so the actors who are your "guides" are essentially shouting over each other - the whole experience barely lasted an hour The 4 of us were not the only ones who felt this way, while in the lobby, post-show we overheard others coming our and saying "that's it?", "that was...interesting", "etc...". Perhaps if the price-point was lower, our expectations would not have been high. This could have been an incredible experience, if put in the right hands... Save your money for the significantly more professional, more immersive, and truly life-changing Sleep No More, if you're looking for a night of alternative theater. read more

No way was this experience is worth $50 plus an extra 30 for drinks (which if any enjoyment is to be had, alcohol is to thank). I really wanted to like this but after shelling out the dough I kept asking myself throughout the show, "is it worth it?," and to my disappointment the answer is absolutely not. You're really just paying to hangout in an overpriced bar with live music...cannot understand the price tag for this "show." read more

Didn't love it. I feel like so many new productions are popping up and simply riding on Sleep no more popularity ( like Then She fell and now this one). Too many ppl so u can't see anything in person , not much going on in in general . I think it's a good premise but not well executed so it lacks the story, the acting, the intimacy of such interactive show production. Don't go. I have last one to see next week ( Queen of the night, hoping it's worth the money). read more

Speakeasy Dollhouse - Performing Arts Near Me

I've seen lots of immersive theater and this doesn't compare! Don't waste your money!! I can't believe the reviews are so good. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?! My favorite part about this show was the burlesque and the fact that it took place in an actual speakeasy-- the decor was pretty cool, too. Other than, it was really cheesy acting. People were laughing it was so bad. I kinda felt bad for the actors. It's not their fault they suck, right? I didn't feel immersed. I felt like I had to try to hard to enjoy the show and just flat out wasn't entertained. Plus it's super small and there isn't much to investigate or see. Also, there are lulls where they try to get you to the bar to buy overpriced drinks. First the bartender said $18 for two drinks and then gave us $1 back. For the second round he said $20. Hm, inflation in 20 minutes!? Oh yeah. Did I say the acting was bad? I've seen Queen of the Night, Sleep No More and Then She Fell. This doesn't even compare to any of them. read more

This show was a HOTT MESS! we went with a party of 11.. they sat us in the back with huge giant poles blocking our view.. there was no crowd control.. so the whole time every single person stood in front of our table. i was so disappointed... it was my friends birthday and it was a mess... we ended up leaving super early.. really bummed out and this was not a cheap mess. read more

Last night i traveled back in time - or at least it felt incredibly like it. I saw the immersive play "Speakeasy Dollhouse" by Cynthia Von Buhler for the 3rd time. I had seen the show twice in early 2013 and had wanted to go back ever since. Each time I went it was a new and different experience because depending on where you were in the Speakeasy, you could see different aspects of the show from various perspectives. I loved that the theatergoers are encouraged to wear clothes from the era and it was sometimes hard to distinguish the actors from the audience. It is a great opportunity to get " dressed to the nines". The audience is also asked to not be shy and interact with the actors. The "bootleg cocktails" were served in tea cups and live jazz was played through out the night. The beautiful and talented Burlesque stars Delysia La Chatte and Kat Mon Dieu performed during the show, as well as opera singer Katie Kat and an accordion player. The bar and adjoining rooms are beautifully decorated with large paintings and comfortable couches. There is also a secret room hidden by a trick bookcase where some of the more intimate scenes are played out. It was a truly unique and fun event and I am so glad that I was able to experience it. read more

An engaging experience while in the city! My best friend flew in for the weekend and keeps talking about the shows Speakeasy Dollhouse creates. Often times I feel like visiting restaurants or bars is the only thing to do outside of tourist traps. read more

After experiencing Sleep No More, one of my mutual friends mentioned to me that there was a speakeasy themed experience very similar that is only held 2 days a month until June. I live in NYC, might as well look into it! Don't get me wrong, my experience was really fun but I am just comparing the star ratings with Sleep No More. I especially loved how most of the people that went was actually dressed up and played the role in the Prohibition era. It literally felt like we were transported back in time with the burlesque dancers, singers, fortune teller, gang members, and live band. It was more than I imagined!! It really showed its audience how speak it low this era used to be with these scandalous scenes and happenings that people experienced. You get to drink your cocktails in tea cups and mugs while you explore the venue and couple of hidden rooms. Follow the actors and actresses to gain the most experience. You are given a role so also make the most out of it! I unfortunately was too shy to approach Frank Spano and flirt with him, telling him I loved to be tied down..... but if you aren't comfortable with your role, might as well just talk to any one of them! It's fun and very interactive! Since everyone is dressed up, no one knows who is the actor/actress.. makes it more interesting! One bummer is that the venue is too small for everyone to watch the scenes being played. Sometimes I would have to budge or sneak a peak compared to Sleep No More where it is way more spacious. From the looks of it, I don't think it is worth getting the VIP tickets which gives you a table. People will crowd over you while the scenes are being played out anyways, so you might as well walk around and be in the moment! If you haven't gone, you should go at least once! and make sure to dress up!! You won't feel left out I promise! It is a very unique experience in NYC! read more

A shining star in the New York theatre scene, Speakeasy Dollhouse has been going strong for a few years now, and getting better each and every time. Set amidst a 20s and 30s Jazz age setting, this is the true story of Cynthia Von Buhler's actually family story. An immersive theatrical experience means that you never know if you're talking to an actor or just another attendee, so the element of mystery and surprise is omnipresent. Every show focuses on a different element of the story, so each experience is completely different from the last. A multitude of famous guest stars, singers and actors alike, also makes each experience that much more memorable. read more

This was cool as hell. The actors were really awesome and the story was really interesting because it was based on true events. I want to go back and do things a little differently; I was supposed to stop the hooker from being killed and I failed at my task :-( Whoever thought this idea up has a great imagination. This is like nothing I had ever been to before and I would definitely go back! read more

Classy, elegant and suspenseful. I've seen this amazing immersive show twice and hope to go again. Love love the burlesque! Since the audience interacts, it's never the same twice. Beautiful venue too. read more

Either the space was too small, or the idea too ambitious. In any case, execution was poor. If you want to make it linear, create the capacity to enjoy it linearly. If you want to make it possible for people to enjoy it in a non-linear way, you need more repetition, and space. Not sure what was the point of some of the 'acting' either. Just trying to make money as a 'Sleep No More' copycat. read more

Had a really fun night at this place. You get to interact with all the actors and enjoy a couple of interesting strong cups of coffee! Make a night of it and go all out with dress - everyone else will be in character. A fun unique experience in NYC read more

Went here for my birthday with Boyfriend and two other friends. We did greatly enjoy the play and the performance -- the set is beautiful; the actors are friendly, open, and amazing at what they do; and the vibe that's achieved is electrifying and engaging. But I think all this setup was tempered by confusion regarding which areas were or weren't accessible to audiences, what role exactly guests are supposed to be playing, and finally, the events in process. We started out by entering the Back Room armed with passwords that granted us access to the performance. We were each given small slips of paper with minor roles to play, and a task or two to accomplish throughout the course of the night. Then we were ushered into the main room next to the bar where we were able to check our coats and play a game of friendly poker and chat with both actors and fellow guests. This sort of became the modus operandi for the entirety of the performance as well. The good parts: The actors were splendid at keeping character and interacting both with their colleagues as well as guests. The setting of the play felt "authentic" and realistic, in a way that, say, "Sleep No More" doesn't achieve because of masks and the lack of speech. The guests were regularly encouraged to take part in the action, which is a fun participatory challenge. The bad? Because guests were encouraged to come dressed for the occasion, it was often difficult to tell who were the actors and who were the guests. In addition, it often seemed as if actors were not familiar with the tasks outlined on the slips of paper for guests to accomplish, even looking confused when approached according to these directions. I get that these "roles" were there to encourage guests to mingle, but I feel like the inability to accomplish given tasks actually made me more hesitant to put myself out there. There's also a ton of material to go through before the performance, which on the one hand is very immersive, but on the other hand, can be a bit cumbersome for casual theatre-goers. Finally, I felt that there was some confusion regarding areas that could or couldn't be accessed during the performance, and it wasn't until I returned home that I realized I'd missed HUGE areas of action. So sad! I do still definitely recommend this performance, especially for those people who LOVE immersive theatre experiences and who have no fear or doubts about improving themselves in order to have a better theatre experience. Despite the cons I outlined, we had a TON of fun dressing up and wandering about trying to figure out what was going on. However, I do encourage all attendees to research the performance as much as they can. And stay on your feet, because any hesitation or shyness on your part, and you'll miss out like I did. read more

The show was way too crowded for the majority of the people to see the scenes that were occurring. Mostly the actors seemed to be screaming at each other...trying to be heard over the chatter of the crowd. The character slip each person gets in the beginning leads you to have a dead-end conversation with one of the actors. There is no sleuthing for the audience to do....most people seem confused and cheated. Drinks are expensive and the play involves lots of seemingly unnecessary rape and violence. It's fun to be in a speakeasy around a bunch of people dressed up....but that's about it. read more

It was just way too crowded for us to fully enjoy. The actors amazing though. The visuals are fantastic too, the place, the set up, everyone dressed up. They really pack people in there so it's hard to get around. Also, the space is smallish so you feel like you've discovered most of it half way through. I've always loved acting out a role for a game and playing dress up. I guess it depends on the crowd, but not that many people were as interested in acting their parts when I went, which makes it hard for you to stay on the mood. It's definitely what everyone makes of it, but be sure to be with a fun and extroverted crew, cuz the show depends on it too much. read more

this was literally the worst theatre event I have ever been to... the acting was terrible. pls don't compare this to sleep no more ...the whole premise is ridiculous and poorly executed. You do get to see a real live vagina, but that's the only memorable part read more

Brothers Booth was PHENOMENAL. This company really knows how to throw a party. The murder mystery aspect is a little underplayed (and almost nonexistent) but that's okay because what you really end up experiencing is a wonderful evening back in time. It was truly as if we had been transported back in time and were enjoying an evening in remembrance of Edwin Booth at The Players Club. All the actors were very friendly and true to character and there was never a dull moment between the tarot readings and burlesque performances! read more