Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic
About the show
An interactive event about the wonders and dangers of the Golden Age of Broadway. The audience explores this world from the perspective of Florenz Ziegfeld, "the Glorifier of the American Girl." More…
Audiences are invited to reimagine Ziegfeld's 1920’s extravaganza, 'The Midnight Frolic,' with lavish showgirls, risque burlesque, thrilling aerialists, magic, and plenty of drinking. At the center of the story is the mysterious 1920 poisoning and death of silent film star and Ziegfeld Girl, Olive Thomas, and the subsequent destruction of her husband, movie star, Jack Pickford. 'Midnight Frolic' explores a starlet's transition from hopeful anonymity to disenchanted fame.
"There are many reasons to adore Cynthia von Buhler’s latest immersive, absolutely brilliant theater extravaganza. The production defies description. It is a sensational event which engages, informs, energizes, confounds, and delights...The evening’s activities offer some of the finest moments that I have yet to witness in theatrical productions." Full Review
"Von Buhler has created multiple detailed spaces within the cavernous Liberty Theatre. If you tire of the stage show, you'll always find more to explore. Unfortunately, not all the performances are as well researched and fully realized as the design...There are worse ways to spend an evening than discovering the bizarre true history of 42nd Street. 'Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic' offers that with thrilling and unique style." Full Review
"Von Buhler's play is a glorious romp through Olive Thomas' life and times...It's a fitting production for the Liberty Theater, a historic gem." Full Review
"The cast is talented, the costumes are glittery, and aerialists dangle from a giant beaded orb...'Ziegfeld’s Midnight Frolic' is less a theater piece than a faux-1920s cabaret show with a thematically related art installation taking place around it...Whole chunks are easy to miss here. Entering this 'Midnight Frolic' is like being invited to play a game without knowing the rules." Full Review
"Von Buhler has captured, in her dizzyingly elaborate production, the forbidden glory of it all... Her visionary pursuits are as impressive as her methods of executing them are faulty. Telling a story is one thing, establishing a universe is another, and getting them to meet in the middle is yet something else entirely. Just a traffic cop, who ensures you see what you need to, when you need to, would be an enormous help." Full Review
"The events guiding framework sadly slips through the cracks...The work becomes redundant and tiring after four acts...I am scrounging to discover the fun that was so clearly supposed to be had." Full Review
"There may be no decade whose clichés are more threadbare than the Roaring Twenties' — at least, judging by Speakeasy Dollhouse: Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic. The piece trades in familiar flapper-isms — scandal, booze, fringy dresses — but although it promises audience participation, only the cast appears to have any fun...There's disappointingly little to see. For immersive spectacle to work, there must be something exciting to immerse yourself in." Full Review
See it if you like old-time styled contemporary music and walk-around theatre. Dressing in theme elevates the experience.
Don't see it if you don't like the 20's, or shows that take some figuring out to "get it"
See it if You want to look at pretty naked people
Don't see it if You want well produced, tight, immersive, edgy cabaret or bulesque. There are other people doing it far better in the city.
See it if You want to
Don't see it if You don't want to
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