Over the past several months I have explored stories relating to how the arts have contributed to or enhanced the lives of so many people in our communities. This time I will share something old and something new in San Francisco Bay Area performance theater that I like to call “Total Immersive Theater.” The old part of this tale is about a gentleman I met fifteen or more years ago by the name of John Hale, who came to my home as a computer specialist to assist me with some software problems I was having. In the course of that repair job, a discussion took place where I learned that he was not only a highly trained certified professional technician for Microsoft, but he also had a passionate love for live theater and had been performing in the local community theaters that I regularly reviewed in my role of theater critic for the Rossmoor News. He admitted that it took about 15 years after his college days before he risked taking a small part in The Girl of the Golden West, at the Masquers community theatre in Point Richmond. 
Now, the new part of this story took place when Hale called me and suggested that I investigate the new Speakeasy Theater in San Francisco. It was at this point that I learned about what he called his first experience with “Truly Immersive” theater. I knew he had at one time worked with the East Bay Entrée to Murder Dinner Theater in which the actors served the meals to patrons and at the same time performed as characters in a murder mystery that occurs during the dinner meal. I told him that I thought that was pretty immersive theater, but he argued that that was nothing compared to this new type of theater he was currently performing in. This past month my friend and fellow theater critic, Sally Hogarty, called me and invited me to join with her and her friends to celebrate her birthday, at of all places, The Speakeasy in San Francisco!
The reason I believe this new theatre concept is truly evolutionary, different and bound to be one of the most sought out venues in San Francisco’s theatrical future, is the audience has to attend in costume and in essence, be part of the show. No, this is not your initiation into a secret society, but hopefully this article will be your personal invitation to an exotic evening of innovative and immersive entertainment; an evening rife with the mystery and allure of the naughty 1920s with all its sensuous, suggestive, and seductive intrigues. 
The question is: Are you fearless enough to secure tickets on their website and cloak yourselves in garments of this time period, follow the secretive instructions you will receive, deliver the “code words and phrases” to secretive emissaries, and bravely walk the back alleys and find the secret entrances to The Speakeasy? If you are and you follow your carefully-detailed instructions, you will find an absolutely wonderful and engaging theater of pleasure. After arriving at the special meeting place (a street corner in the city near the hidden venue) and identifying who you are, or who you are sponsored by (ie: “CJ sent me or I’m with Jarrett”), you will be quietly checked out and approved. In addition, you will be slipped an antique-looking prescription form allowing you to purchase medicinal liquor. You then will be quickly guided down an alley or through a mysterious doorway and delivered in short order and in surreptitious fashion, into the dark abyss of prohibition excess. There you will be admitted into a secret cabaret, that is a colorful, beautifully designed, period-specific venue, where the beginnings of an exciting and ribald evening in The Speakeasy awaits.
What took place over the next two to three hours (I lost track of time) is a theatrical experience I believe it is unequaled today in San Francisco. Over the course of the evening, we became part of a 1500 page script in which we journeyed through numerous different rooms of varying sizes (some large, some small) throughout, allowing us to share a variety of complex intrigues in what seemed to be the very real lives and personal situations of this production’s characters. The audience has the freedom to explore as they wish. There are 35 actors who performed various roles as Speakeasy workers, dancers, lovers, musicians, adversaries, missionaries, union members, charlatans and the sorely inebriated, sadly in need of salvation. 
Each character actor eventually reveals their own personal stories and experiences as though in real life. As you meander on your own through the various rooms, hallways, and secret doors, you will, in effect, be “choosing-your-own-adventure,” all of which takes place in complete replicas of prohibition-era cabarets, casinos, dressing rooms, cocktail lounges and bars where the actors, can be difficult at first to ferret out. It is virtually impossible for anyone to see the entire show in one evening.
I could go on and on describing the delightful variety of shows and stories taking place throughout The Speakeasy, but that would be giving way too much away. Each show within the show is brilliantly written, conceived, and executed by superbly talented actors and actresses. Many in this diverse cast are also fine dancers, excellent storytellers, vocalists, musicians, and even delightful vaudeville-type comedic talents.
Actor John Hale confirms, “As opposed to watching something on the stage, you get to feel like you’ve really gone into another world, a world in which you become part of the play and even contribute to its artful disposition.” In recent weeks, for a short time, Mr. Hale has become Sal, the owner of the Speakeasy, and in September, he will become the bartender, Mac, and a few months after that, he will be another character in this constantly changing script. Mr. Hale says, “As an actor, one of the best parts for me being a member of the Speakeasy production, is that everyone in it, including the front of house and service people, is that not just the performers, but the entire production 
crew, are so darn good, that I’m just real happy and proud to be a part of it. It’s so good to be on a team where you have to run to keep up! If you want to be better at anything, you have to play with people who are just a little bit better than you, better enough that you’ve got to stretch to be satisfied.”
The facility was conceived by the Boxcar Theatre Company in 2005 and co-founded by Nick A. Olivero, who is the creator and managing producer of this production. The company has produced over 60 plays and musicals. In 2000 they opened their second theatrical space called the Boxcar Studios in the tenderloin. In 2015, the company signed a lease on a new and much larger space in San Francisco’s North Beach / Chinatown district, now known as The Speakeasy since August 2016. This theater company required a sizable initial investment of about $3.5 million just to create this new show and unique theater space.
Every show requires a cast and crew of approximately 81 people. Everything in this theater is reminiscent of the 1920s time period, including
the candlestick phones, custom gaming chips, custom-built vintage reproduction gaming tables, furniture, vintage ceiling tiles and even down to the three 1920 vintage urinals. Since you are not allowed to have cell phones, in keeping with the time period, there is a photo booth where you, your significant other or lover, and guests, may have a group photograph taken, showing all of you in your splendid costumes.
Some people apparently join the experience just to be a part of this unique immersive theater; people who love to dress up and go back in time to have an authentic experience. Others see this as a romantic rendezvous for an anniversary or unique date, while others may celebrate special occasions such as birthdays or bachelorette parties.
I would suggest that everyone go to the company’s website, https://thespeakeasysf.com, to see brief videos of what you’re in for, and to obtain the information as to how you too may become part of this incredible show, and how you can pay for and schedule your participation. Perhaps I will see you there in September!
Photos courtesy Peter Liu
Leave a Reply