New ‘Speakeasy’ travels back in time

Modal Trigger

A six-piece jazz band and chanteuse entertain at historic Players Club, home to the new "Speakeasy Dollhouse."

Christian Johnston

Several flappers parade through the Players Club during the "Speakeasy Dollhouse."

Christian Johnston

Mark Twain is up for a card game.

Christian Johnston

Tatiana Mskatova (from left), Eugeny Veriviski and Olga Moskatova.

Christian Johnston

Guests attend a seance at the "Speakeasy Dollhouse."

Christian Johnston

Burlesque dancers Delysia La Chatte (left) and Alexandra Kopko are only too happy to cut a rug.

Christian Johnston

Daniel Burns of Harlem plays a Newsboy.

Christian Johnston

The eerie puppet show within a play focuses on the Booth brothers.

Christian Johnston

Edwin Booth's actual room.

Christian Johnston

The day in photos 22 Photos

Memories of the Boston bombing, a $20 million egg, a...

Paint the town chic 8 Photos

Fashion's latest stroke of genius? Clothing that looks like a...

The day in photos 20 Photos

A two-legged dog beats the odds, a chocolate fashion show...

The day in photos 24 Photos

A koala takes a selfie, President Obama has a day...

The day in photos 24 Photos

Earthquake and mudslide aftermaths, Michelle Obama goes gardening, cherry blossoms...

The day in photos 24 Photos

Captain America visits the New York Stock Exchange, President Obama...

The day in photos 18 Photos

A baby bear gets playful, the United States and South...

Luxe spring shoes that are anything but shy 27 Photos

From sky-high heels to bold details and vibrant hues, this...

Spring's new heights: 50 shoes under $500 50 Photos

Ready to forget snow boots? These fabulous finds — sandals to...

The day in photos 20 Photos

An orangutan family gets a new home, the search for...

The day in photos 22 Photos

Mad hairstyles for March Madness, President Obama visits the Vatican,...

The day in photos 24 Photos

Acrobatic ice skaters, unrest in Crimea, an Indian fashion show,...

You'll mingle with ghosts in the new "Speakeasy Dollhouse," an immersive show about the Booth brothers, actor Edwin and his notorious brother, Abraham Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth.

Set in the historic Players Club — which Edwin founded in 1888 and is otherwise off-limits to nonmembers — Cynthia von Buhler's piece features a six-piece jazz band, burlesque artists, singers and swordplay, plus the chance to join in most of the above.

And when you're not shooting billiards with John Singer Sargent (who died in 1925), playing poker with Mark Twain (who left us in 1910) or participating in a séance, you just may find yourself being escorted to the second-floor bedroom where Edwin Booth actually died in 1893. It has been meticulously preserved just as it was when he left it, with a photo of his infamous sibling by his bedside.

Burlesque dancers Delysia La Chatte (left) and Alexandra Kopko are only too happy to cut a rug.Photo: Christian Johnston

Von Buhler's last "Speakeasy Dollhouse" — subtitled "The Bloody Beginning" — was about her bootlegger grandfather's unsolved 1935 murder. It's still running in a secret Lower East Side location, once the hangout of gangster Meyer Lansky.

She says she was inspired to create this new show the moment she entered the Players Club, a Greek Revival mansion designed by Stanford White.

"I found the story of Edwin and his brother and was totally enthralled by it," she says. "I really love history, and I also really love conspiracy theories."

Directed by Wes Grantom, the show is set in 1919 at a gala celebrating the unveiling of the life-size bronze statue of Edwin in Gramercy Park. But the Prohibition- era setting quickly morphs into surreal time-hopping with the ghostly appearances of the Booth brothers as well as their famous actor father, Junius Brutus Booth, and Edwin's daughter, Edwina.

Von Buhler says the best way to enjoy the show is to become fully involved in the action and interact freely with the performers. Then again, it's not always easy to tell the actors from the spectators, since many theatergoers show up dressed in period '20s garb.

Photo: Christian Johnston

"Our slogan is, ignore the advice your parents gave you," she says. "Be nosy and talk to strangers. The worst possible thing is to sit down and have a drink and just sit in one place. You have to get up and move around."

Producer Michael Barra suggests you choose your own adventure, wherever it takes you. "If you dress to the nines and follow the lead characters through the story, you're going to have a very different time than someone who wants to cozy up in the VIP lounge."

Besides, he says, there's so much to see. Not only does the Players Club have several paintings by Sargent, but it also boasts other artifacts, like the chair John Barrymore used while performing as Hamlet. Little wonder club members had reservations about holding the show there, he says.

"Did you see all the large gentlemen strategically placed under all the valuable artwork?" he asks. Why, yes.

"Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Brothers Booth" is performed the first Saturday of every month at the Players Club, 16 Gramercy Park. Tickets, $75 to $125 (VIP), at brownpapertickets.com.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

New ‘Speakeasy’ travels back in time

Dengan url

http://bahayaprostat.blogspot.com/2014/04/new-aspeakeasya-travels-back-in-time.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

New ‘Speakeasy’ travels back in time

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

New ‘Speakeasy’ travels back in time

sebagai sumbernya