WHO KILLED EDGAR ALLAN POE? - The Cooping Theory 1969

See it if You like horror, and Edgar Allan Poe, in that order. You're willing to ferret out pieces of the story by yourself

Don't see it if The relationships between the characters didn't seem to really matter. We are basically asked to bear witness to mass possession.

Also I can't say I didn't enjoy myself but I do think anyone looking for the basic parts of a story will find themselves disappointed.... Read more Read less

See it if you love immersive theatre for its atmosphere, interactivity and settings.

Don't see it if you don't like ambiguity in immersive theatre and expect clear storytelling.

See it if this is NOT theater. this is bad interactive performance art that is incoherent and annoying. a little poe didn't even go a long way

Don't see it if you don't want a normal theater experience that you can comprehend at the end!

See it if Your obsessed w/ Poe. You love novice acting. You want to see how not to do experiential or choose your own adventure theater.

Don't see it if Value your time. Value quality lighting. Value theater. Like to be scared Want to experience something different

Also I was at first very disappointed that after checking out. I was told each ticket came with a $25 food minimum as well as no refunds at that point. Both me and my date didn't drink and had dinner plans so this made us cancel our original dinner plans. The original ticket was $75 so additional financial terms were disheartening to say the least.

Turns out the meal was the best part of the entire thing.

The acting and writing was subpar. Felt like a college production. The lighting was also very simple and not very expressive. I don't think the experiential aspect was utilized I think it could have been a stage performance and would have had the same effect. Perhaps a better chance to tell a story with lighting etc. It is billed as a choose your own adventure. It is not. We were told clearly that we would be separated by the staff and had no say in the matter. I can't stress enough how much of a waste of time this was! Please avoid unless they drastically revamp pricing and structure.... Read more Read less

See it if If you like Poe, immersive plays. Very edgy in a nice space. Entertaining, especially if you like Poe.

Don't see it if 2.5 hours long walking around talking with actors is not for everyone.

See it if you're a huge Poe fan & want to hear some of his poetry & prose skillfully recited periodically between shrieking, wailing & convulsing.

Don't see it if u don't want to wander aimlessly through halls & doors & rooms in search of some meaning. [U don't stand a ghost of a chance of finding it.]

Also Clearly, the creators studied Sleep No More and Third Rail's immersive productions, for they borrow liberally from some of their staging; but they completely missed the lessons on focus & storytelling that they should have gleaned from those far superior works. Instead, all we get is a pretentious, disorganized, unfocused, confounding, earsplitting "experience".

The premise is interesting (a shrinking Poe Society trying to recruit new members), the venue is unique, the mystery at the heart of the piece (How did Poe die?) had me hooked, the cast is fully committed, the music's on point (albeit deafeningly loud)... but the entire execution (from the time you check in to the time you wait on line to pay your bill) is just messy and aimless (including a political statement that's awkwardly crowbarred into the proceedings early on). The only horror is not knowing exactly when all the histrionics will end & the only mystery is who thought this production was ready for public consumption.... Read more Read less

See it if you are open to a work that needs refinement - there are some good moments of interaction with actors and the space is interesting.

Don't see it if you expect a rewarding immersion experience - it's a lot of moving around when it gets going and the sounds drown out the actors quite often

See it if you enjoy interactive performances. The actors work hard to engage the audience. The space is interesting. The chicken wings are delicious.

Don't see it if you expect a complex theatrical experience. The first hour was mostly drinks and food. The remaining time was mostly dramatic poetryreadings

See it if You like Poe and not inspecting to much, just for funny.

Don't see it if If you want a full story, and really be part of a experience.

Also Underground has a lot of different room each design so great. You see old TV, radio, studio, old sewing machine. The place only is a must see. The actors for "Who Kill..." were great in they roles. You ate/drink before the show and the actor interact with you. Once the seance began you start your experience. The music is great but loud. Loud to me for I could not hear all what the actors were saying. It was fun but disappointing.... Read more Read less

See it if You must attend all Poe related shows.

Don't see it if You expect any new insights or revelations on the Poe legend.

Also I attended the first preview. The actors knew their lines and played their roles amicably. The venue is a karaoke club so the many beautifully appointed rooms allowed for small groups to closely immersively experience what terror there is. However, the stories lack background and an arc. There seems to be no reason for what happens and the over-the-top anguish is unremittent. Food is good and drinks are midtown priced.... Read more Read less

See it if you want something different. The space they used is amazing, but the show was disappointing. Acting was great, but repetitive. See if Fan.

Don't see it if have no interest in seeing people get possessed over and over again and tell stories that you have no interest in. Read more below..

Also I had high hopes for the show, but in the end was disappointed. The space was the best thing about the show. If it wasn't for the different rooms keeping my interest, I would have left in the first 30 minutes. The show calls to start at 7:00pm, but that's really not the time it starts.. You will have some introductions to the space and rules, and will be escorted to grab some drinks and food. A few actors will interact during this time, and it's good for people who like interacting. The show kicks off really around 8pm, then its 1:45 mins more. The sound was a bit too loud for some, you can miss some of the conversations. The show is really for die hard Poe fans, I know some of his work, but could not care about his life or why or who killed him. The cast does a good job of moving you through the space, but the story is too confusing to really enjoy. Only so many times can the actors go into a violent twitch before it just becomes annoying. I wish they used more props or visuals... Read more Read less

See it if you want a unique and kitschy experience in a midtown bar complete with alcoholic drinks. This will not be your usual “night out”.

Don't see it if you like immersive theater and you don't want the whole genre ruined for you. Screaming and twitching is not acting.

Also I should give them some slack since this was the first preview. It was horribly unorganized and I felt ripped off even though my tickets was only $5.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to be able to explore a play, like strong imagery and don't a mind some confusion and an unclear narrative or finale.

Don't see it if you just want to sit and watch, don't enjoy interacting with actors and role playing slightly. Are not interested in Poe.

Also Saw the first preview. I would say the biggest issue technically was the sound was loud and that made it hard to hear and understand the actors at time even when you were in the same room with them. This play is a great visual experience, they use the space brilliantly and the lightening is good and the cast and costumes create striking visuals. The cast goes big which works, particularly Miss Shaely is a dynamic presence. At times it feels like just a recitation of Poe's writtings and I wasn't able to really hook into where the characters were going. Basically if you want an interactive multimedia experience I think this is good. If you want to connect with character and plot this is not good.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to experience immersive play, the actors are superb

Don't see it if You want to see a story, or cannot take too much screaming

See it if You like to drink and be involved with immersive theater and like edgar allen poe and dark subject matter

Don't see it if you want to be seated and want something light

See it if You are ready to be a part of an immersive show, you love Poe’s work and want to hear it delivered very well, you like creepy fun

Don't see it if Not ready to run around and take part in the experience, don’t like talking to actors or interacting, this is not quite Sleep No More

See it if Monologue driven theatrical experience on your feet, following actors from space to space in search of the play.

Don't see it if You are a theatre traditionalist who wants to sit and be entertained. You are looking for a plot driven story that has a decisive ending.

Also Seen in preview, there is time for the production to find its volume levels and a way to assist its audience through the experience. If the recitations of Poe’s works held deeper meaning or hints to the plot, they were lost to me. But the young, attractive cast was earnest in its delivery and focus.... Read more Read less

See it if you think the future is in the interactive theater. If you like being close and personal to feel your vis-à-vis joy and angst.

Don't see it if You'd rather have a 4th wall in the theater. If you expect Poe's theme - he's just used as pretext.

Also Actors are game and give it all to make you feel... I've actually have no idea what the show creators wanted us to feel. The premise is terrific - you are at some secret party in 1969, surrounded by privileged youth of that era. This is Edgar Allan Poe society and their only mission is to figure out how he died. The space they rented is insane fun, the costumes and the types are all spot on. And - action!
This is when it all falls apart. There is no coherent directing, let alone a decent script or even an idea of where this all is going. Poor actors are reduced to some terrible mannekens writhe - all they do for a good hour is show you how possessed they are. Which painfully reminded me of another clueless albeit super popular affair - Sleep No More. It's not terrible since you are already plied with drinks but it's also not necessary.
Go if you need to to impress friends out of town, visually it's great and if the substance is not there, you can always add another shot of tequila.... Read more Read less

See it if You like experimental experiences and don’t mind paying a fortune between the admission and the minimum.

Don't see it if You hate not knowing what’s going on.

See it if If you love interactive theater in all its forms. The space is very cool.

Don't see it if You don't drink. (Don't get food here.) You want things to cohere or make sense. You mind waiting in line to pay afterward.

Also If you do see it, do not get food. You spend time eating while other people are interacting with the performers. Or, worse, while the show is going on. Also, the options are limited, and the food isn't good.

I knew about the minimum going in, but I didn't expect it to disrupt the show so much. Nor did I expect them to take our credit cards at the beginning and then make us wait at the end to pay. (And it wasn't quick.)

It's still in previews. So I understand the narrative could use some work. But they spent too much time spouting Poe, and too little time connecting to what actually was happening.... Read more Read less

See it if you don't need much of a story; are really into Poe and like watching scenes play out in interesting rooms; good (but loud) soundtrack.

Don't see it if you don't think you'll hit the $25 minimum. They will charge you $25 whether you order enough or not, and add gratuity on top.

See it if you want to see anything related to Poe

Don't see it if dont like being able to follow along to a story due to loud background music or a plot that is mostly missing

Also The performance run time is 2 hour 30 but doesn't actually start until 1 hour in. The first hour is just mingling at the bar with the actors who dont really mingle. Minimum $25 food/drink... Read more Read less

See it if You like site specific or immersive theatre, want to support small theatre companies, and checkout the very cool retro vibe space

Don't see it if You prefer to watch a show sitting down; mind a lot of screaming and shouting; don’t like a show without clear storylines.

See it if You don't mind not understand what's happening around you, or if you want to get drunk and have a great time.

Don't see it if You're looking for a linear story. The space doesn't work well (can hear karaoke from the next room).

See it if you like Edgar Allan Poe

Don't see it if You’re looking for something super serious