by: JK Clarke
There’s an interesting thing happening in the theater world. Immersive theater, in different variations, is emerging as a more prevalent medium. It’s not new, of course, but its popularity and the form it’s taking is intriguing. Seemingly in conjunction (or perhaps just concurrent) with the Steampunk movement (in which participants dress in Victorian or late 19th century garb, but with a technologically anachronistic bent, almost a Jules Verne-esque period science fiction), there’s now an aroused interest in historically evocative and site-specific theater, usually of the participatory variety. Witness the Speakeasy Dollhouse productions (which run the gamut from Prohibition Era speakeasy role-playing to a Players Club party that set just at the end of the Civil War, evoking noted actor Edwin Booth and his notorious brother, John Wilkes); or Sleep No More, a voyeuristic exploration—in which the audience follows characters from room to room—of the Macbeths (albeit slightly more contemporary); and then there’s last fall’s Turn of the Screw set in the Morris-Jumel Mansion historical site. The latest iteration of the first person exploration of history/literature is Serenade, an expansion of the eponymous Edgar Allan Poe poem.
Director Ava Lee Scott (who also wrote the book and lyrics and plays Lilith) has stated that Serenade is an evolving production, which not only fits with the concept, but allows for continued changes and improvements—a welcome approach. Though the food is not necessarily a prioritized component of the production, it might be helped by change. Wine is graciously plentiful, and a cheese, bread and meat board complement it nicely. But, considering the ticket price, the main meal could use some tweaks. Notably, food should never be served on a bun in dinner theater. It just rankles.
It’s fascinating to note Serenade’s young, hip audience. This seems to signal a resurgence of the concept of dinner theater, as well as the emergence of immersive historical productions as an important entertainment form. And Serenade is a noteworthy addition to the lineup of recent productions. It makes for a lovely evening out with friends that surmounts an ordinary night in a bar or at a concert: there’s dining, theater, wine, music and history. And above all, there’s Edgar Allan Poe. What more could one ask for? Never more.
Serenade. Selected Monday evenings through August 3 at Carroll Place (157 Bleecker Street, New York, NY). www.serenadenyc.com
Photos: Alyana Rubin