Speakeasy Dollhouse: Ziegfeld's Midnight Frolic is the third interactive show in the Speakeasy Dollhouse series from author, artist and playwright Cynthia von Buhler. Performances will run April 18-May 9.
According to press notes, "Guests can step into a reimagining of Ziegfeld's 1920’s extravaganza The Midnight Frolic, replete with showgirls, burlesque, aerialists and – of course – plenty of spirits. At the center of the story is the mysterious 1920 poisoning death of silent film star and Ziegfeld Girl, Olive Thomas, and the subsequent destruction of her husband, movie star, Jack Pickford."
Audiences will be free to follow the story, about the poisoning death of silent film star and Ziegfeld girl Olive Thomas by wondering through the space at their own will. They can expect to encounter such 1920's icons as Fanny Brice, Josephine Baker, Eddie Cantor, Billie Burke, Will Rogers, Marilyn Miller, Mary Eaton, Dorothy Mackaill, Alberto Vargas, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Sheen and the Ziegfeld Girls.
The event will be held at the Liberty Theater, 233 West 41st St. It's right next door to the New Amsterdam Theatre, where master showman Ziegfeld produced many editions of his glittering Ziegfeld Follies revues a century ago. On the top of the New Amsterdam Theatre building was another performance space known as the New Amsterdam Roof (today offices for Disney Theatricals). In that space Ziegfeld produced a more adult-oriented series of revues, known as the Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic off and on from 1915 to 1929. The cast includes Syrie Moskowitz, Russell Farhang, Robyn Adele Anderson and Delysia La Chatte who is also the show's choreographer. The creative team includes Chris Fink as associate director and Alison Wright as directorial consultant, as well as puppetry created and performed by Erin Orr. Bill Butler will write original songs for the show.
A Parisian dinner created by French restaurant, Frere De Lys, is available in The Cabaret du Neant before the show, offering classic french bistro . To purchase tickets and for more information, visit speakeasydollhouse.com.
