"No ordinary theater experience." - The Wall Street Journal
"an ornately turned-out, unique, and well-produced experience." -Flavorpill
"Thrilling and delighting all of the senses." - The Huffington Post
"Cynthia von Buhler has the kind of family footnote any writer would kill for." - New York Post
"The Speakeasy Dollhouse is an inspired and unique mission, and the period aesthetics of the set are also begging to be admired." - Bust
"Don't miss your chance to see this truly unique show." - Joonbug
"Speakeasy Dollhouse is an ingenious project jam-packed with creativity." - Show Business
"The acting was superb...the Speakeasy Dollhouse is a fantastic immersive event and a great night out." - WBAI NYC Radio (99.5 FM)
SPEAKEASY DOLLHOUSE, ONE OF NEW YORK CITY'S MOST THRILLING IMMERSIVE THEATRE EXPERIENCES, RETURNS FOR EXTENDED RUN THROUGH DECEMBER 2013 www.speakeasydollhouse.com
Transporting audiences to an era of mobsters, moonshine, and murder, one of the city's most unique, interactive, and surreal theatre experiences will return by popular demand for an extended run through December 2013.
Originally intended to be a one-night-only event, Speakeasy Dollhouse will kick off its new season in February 2013, bringing an actual unsolved Prohibition-era murder to life in the downtown building that once served as mobster Meyer Lansky's hangout. Replete with live jazz by Howard Fishman and his band, burlesque dancers, and real moonshine, the attractively-priced production (tickets start at $30/$35), offers up a meticulously detailed slice of New York City history on the first Saturday and Monday of each month.
The experience begins with a series of emails featuring actual 1935 news articles, court documents, and autopsy reports. Audience members also receive special instructions to show up dressed for a 1930's night on the town at a secret address, including the password they will need to enter. Upon arrival, each audience member is assigned a role or task which can range from passing notes to key characters to aiding in an autopsy. Once they step through a tiny door, they are transported into a perfect replica of a speakeasy, where they eat cannoli, play cards with gangsters, sip hooch disguised in coffee cups, enjoy burlesque performances and witness a shooting, funeral, murder investigation, and trial.
The show is the brainchild of artist and author Cynthia von Buhler, whose Italian immigrant grandfather, a speakeasy owner named Frank Spano, was shot and killed on a Manhattan street in 1935. Though the shooter was caught, his case was inexplicably dismissed, leaving the question of motive forever unanswered.
Long haunted by the mystery, von Buhler, whose mother was born the day her grandfather died, began interviewing family members about the killing and scouring autopsy reports, police records, and court documents. Inspired by a 1940s investigative technique called "nutshell studies," von Buhler first recreated the crime scene in an elaborate dollhouse diorama that can be explored during each performance.
Von Buhler brought her miniature set to life in what was intended to be a one-night theatrical staging via a Kickstarter campaign. It has since become a hot underground theater ticket, selling out regularly and attracting a roster of guest performers that has included bestselling author Neil Gaiman, musician Amanda Palmer, downtown theatre icon Edgar Oliver, Nino Giaimo (Uncle Nino on "Jersey Shore") and others.
Each month's show explores a different motive behind the murder, from jealousy over a suspected affair to a Mafia hit. As audience members meander through a speakeasy bar, a private alleyway, a bakery, and more, they are privy to conversations and whispered bits of gossip from cast members about the victim's marital infidelities, mob connections, and other clues. The piece is constantly evolving based on new scenarios sparked by spontaneous interactions between cast members and guests, who are encouraged to become full-fledged participants in the unfolding drama. Von Buhler is using discoveries and research culled from the performances for a book she is writing on the murder.
"Speakeasy Dollhouse is more than just a play it is a time capsule that transports audiences to the scene of a riveting crime and then invites them to live fully in that world, erasing the boundary between themselves and the performers," said von Buhler.
Discussion
Location
A Secret Location (View)
102 Norfolk Street (approximately)
New York, NY 10002
United States
No, but we do like it when you wear the latest twenties fashions. Most people do dress up, but it is not required. We do have a strict no-fur policy though. Faux fur is fine.
Question:
Can I buy the evidence booklets at the performance?
Answer:
Yes, evidence booklets are $5 and DVDs are $20.
Question:
Hi, for the VIP table, the $250 is for five people right? or is it per person?
Answer:
The VIP table is for five people. You receive a lovely gift bag with an "Inside the Speakeasy Dollhouse" documentary DVD, a tiny Speakeasy Door, a drinking flask and extra surprises!
Question:
Hi, The VIP Table price of $250 is for 5 people right? i.e., I only have to buy one for 5 people? Also, does it come with 5 books or just one for the table?
Answer:
Hotsy Totsy VIP tables seat five people and come with one gift bag with an "Inside the Speakeasy Dollhouse" DVD, a 7" tall Speakeasy Dollhouse door, a flask of Mary's anisette and special surprises. Heavy Sugar VIP tables seat five and come with five gift bags. We recommend that you wander around the premises in order to see the whole play and interact with the actors. If you have a VIP table it will be labeled as RESERVED for you. If someone sits in your seats while you are wandering you should inform the hostess and they will be moved. DVDs and Evidence Books are available for sale in the bakery.Thank you.
Question:
If tickets are no longer available to puchase for a show online, can they be purchased at the door?
Answer:
Yes and no. Tickets are not available at the door, but text 646-221-5239 the day of the show and we might be able to work something out for you if you grease our palms.
Question:
I see the event on Saturday starts at 4pm. What time does it end and should we eat after?
Answer:
The Saturday shows now begin at 5PM. The event lasts approximately 2.5 hours. We recommend that guests eat beforehand. We have a cast party after each show and you are welcome to stay for this. Saro is right next door. We highly recommend their food.
Question:
Is it possible to attend if I'm under 21?
Answer:
Thank you for contacting Brown Paper Tickets! Unfortunately this is a 21 event only. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any further questions or issues. Megan Mitchell Brown Paper Tickets www.BrownPaperTickets.com megan@brownpapertickets.com (800) 838-3006 x7119
Question:
I have a promo code, but it isn't working.
Answer:
We limit the number of promo code tickets per show to 15.
Question:
Do you offer group discounts or private showings for large groups?
Answer:
We sure do! Send us an email or call 646-221-5239 with your specifics and we will send you rates.
Question:
This is a gift. Will you send my recipient a special email?
Answer:
Yes! There is a place to leave us details about this on our order form. We will send your gift recipient a special vintage card via email one week before the event.
Question:
Do you offer group discount rates? Also, how many tickets total do you sell p/"show"?
Answer:
Yes. Please email Hannah Goldstein at hannah@drawbridge.com for rates. She would need to know how many people are in your group and whether or not they each want the documentary film and evidence booklet. Shows are usually between 125 - 250 guests.
Question:
I ordered one Bees Knees ticket and one Spiffy ticket since we don't need two DVDs and two booklets. Will having different tickets affect our roles during the play in any way?
Answer:
Not at all. Enjoy the show!
Question:
I ordered tickets a few weeks ago for the April 6th show- will the book and dvd come before the show in the mail, or do I pick them up at the event? Will I receive an e-mail with "evidence" soon? Thank you!
Answer:
You pick up the DVD and booklet at the show. You will start to receive evidence five days before the show.
