whokeepswithwolves

[whokeepswithwolves]

Awooooooo

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yeah but what if like, the witches were actually aliens

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Idea: Punchdrunk superfan but instead of Punchdrunk it’s Medieval Times.

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hey there are new characters and we’ve got wedding-present-gift certificates to burn so maybe we’re coming out of retirement for a trip soon 

what’s up you dang nerds?

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Sleep No More is still cool

basically: we went back for my bachelor party in October and I don’t recognize/know a single person in the show and it rules. Saw some new stuff, saw some familiar old stuff. Fun times!

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The pricing manipulations at the McKittrick Hotel have gotten out of hand.  

It started getting ridiculous a few years ago, when they roped off the tables at the Manderley Bar. New fans may not even realize - you used to be able to sit anywhere in Manderley. Now, often all the seats are “reserved” for those who pay a 50-60% premium for “Maximilian’s List.”

These people are literally just paying for a table that used to be included with a regular ticket, and that they won’t sit at if they actually go in to watch the show that they are ostensibly attending.

One of my best friends lives a 5 minute walk from Sleep No More. Twice, I tried to take her to Manderley Bar after the show, to watch the band. I knew she’d love the aesthetic of the bar. But she has mobility issues, and can’t stand for extended periods of time. Both times, we stood in front of a velvet rope, looking at empty seats that she was not allowed to sit in, and we left because my friend was in pain. I don’t try to take her to Manderley anymore.

The latest indignity is the “Champagne table.” This comes at a 200% markup - a show where tickets are $85 has champagne tables for $255.  A single guest who buys this is paying $170 for a bottle of champage. If three people attend together, they still only get one bottle - a $510 bottle of champage.

On one level, fine, let people pay an idiot tax if they want to. Presumably anyone who chooses this is rich enough to afford it. I hope (but somehow doubt) that it goes to increase the salaries of the cast and staff. Maybe they can even start paying their interns.  

The real problem is that they are reducing the availability of regular priced tickets in favor of these price gouging options. Regular priced tickets now automatically convert to inflated prices once a certain theshold is reached. It seems to vary per timeslot - for example, you can usually only buy a same day ticket to a weekday show at Max’s List prices now. Saturday after 5pm all the tickets to the Saturday late show switched to Max’s List prices, even though there were plenty of regular priced tickets available at 4:45pm.  If you try to buy tickets at the door, even to a show that isn’t sold out, they may offer only Max’s List prices. Right now (Sunday afternoon) if I wanted to go to the Monday show, I could only buy a $255 “champagne table.”

Other shows offer discounts for last minute tickets. Sleep No More charges a 50-200% markup.

Ironically, it’s often the most devoted fans who want to buy tickets last minute. We go to accompany friends, or because we had a bad day at work, or because we hope to catch interesting casting. (Which, because of the massive secrecy, we only find out about last minute from other fans who went to recent shows.)

There has never been any kind of program to welcome frequent visitors. Instead, we are facing a massive price increase.

Sleep No More has also never offered discount tickets. Student discounts are common at many other NYC shows, and The Drowned Man offered low priced concession tickets for students, young people, and the unemployed. If Punchdrunk really is the future of theater, shouldn’t students at least be able to attend affordably?

Even Punchdrunk’s supporters, the “Keyholders” who donate directly to Punchdrunk and were welcomed with unique experiences and events at Drowned Man, are not recognized at all at Sleep No More.

If the show is really full, I understand there is no more space for anyone to enter. But when there are tickets left, it’s awful to offer them only at inflated prices. In their pursuit of rich tourists with money to burn, the people who run Sleep No More are insulting their core audience.

I get that art has to make money to survive in a capitalist society. Still, there is something obscene about ripping off your most devoted audience, the ones who care most about the art itself, the ones who pay attention to the performances, who are polite and engaged, who create art and write thoughtful analyses, who regard the show as theater, not as a nightclub.

Moreover, it’s bad capitalism. I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on Sleep No More tickets, special events, and food/drinks at the bars and restaurants. I’ve brought dozens of friends. I’ve brought corporate clients and expensed meals. I spent thousands more on The Drowned Man and on direct donations to Punchdrunk via the Keyholder program.

I’m not rich. All of this has been a huge amount of money to me. I spent it because I think that Punchdrunk creates great works of art. I’ve had some of the most powerful experiences of my life inside of that building.

But I’m not going to spend an extra 60% on top of a ticket for a table I won’t sit at, or an extra 200% for champage, when I know they could sell me a regular priced ticket if they wanted to. It’s insulting to be blatantly taken advantage of.

The result will be that people like me spend less money on Sleep No More, stop visiting, stop bringing friends, and give up on the art.  A lot of the early fans have already left in disgust. Perhaps the rich douchebag crowd will make up for our exodus financially. But it will hasten the decline of the show, lower the reputation of the company, and alienate the audience that is most likely to appreciate it as a work of art. It’s ugly and sad that this is happening.

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beep boop

Thought it was about time I did another Sleep No More drawing. 

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Idea: Punchdrunk superfan but instead of Punchdrunk it’s Medieval Times.

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Sleep No More is still cool and it was nice to see some people I recognized among the myriad of new faces I didn't.

Actually got TURNED AROUND in the hallway entrance. I know it's been a while, but they seriously cranked up the darkness in that shit, and it rules.

Queen Elizabeth Romanski as Hecate. Always incredible. First time ever doing the messenger quest and first time getting the FIND MY RING 1:1.

Malcolm (who I didn't recognize) being one of the handful of people over my 14 trips to get me to tear up during the show. Also, he kicked my ass.

Is that a turbo-bearded Nick Bruder as Mr. MacBeth?! He killed it. Up'd the crazy to 11.

Well behaved crowd, no shoving or craziness observed. Also quite a few older people (I would say 50+) in attendance, that might be the trick?

The turkey is as regal and magnificent as everyone says he is.

All in all, very nice to be back in the 'ol Ghost House. Here's to the next trip (whenever it may be).

EDIT- oh also there's a new program??? with a "synopsis???"

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Whoops

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Just got locked into a little room with one of the conductors on the LIRR and I feel like I'm about to get a 1:1 :3

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breaking radio silence to share this super cool ad

Oh, HELL no!

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Let's get a print of this plz

Bargarran ● J. Fulton ● The Speakeasy Bartender ● Hecate ● Annabella ● Sexy Witch ● Macduff ● The Porter ● Agnes Naismith ● Danvers ● Banquo ● Lady Macduff ● Boy Witch ● Malcolm ● Duncan ● Bald Witch ● The Matron ● Nurse Shaw ● Lady Macbeth ● Macbeth

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welp

Annabella has left the hotel.

I’m not going to call this an appreciation post. It has to be more than that. It’s a post that can’t really express how much this woman has affected our lives.

It’s a post that, no matter how many words I write, won’t really express how we feel about her as much...

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It’s been a while since I felt any sort of tug, but for some reason tonight I miss the Manderley a great deal.

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Popp/Lily/O were a trio of staples when I was actively attending SNM. Lily was my first 1:1. This is a turbo bummer.

2013 CAST APPRECIATION THREAD

Omagbitse Omagbemi

I first saw O as one of the witches. It was probably one of my first shows and I wasn’t aware of how to tell the witches apart. I just remember being impressed with O’s physique and strength. A show or two later, I was due to follow Lady Macbeth for the first time and was intrigued to find O in the role. For all intents and purposes, Omagbitse was my Lady Macbeth. Seeing her partner with Erik Abbott Main’s Macbeth (my Macbeth) was pure delight. O brought that strength and intensity to a part that demanded it. And always killed it with the craziness and emotion. I will miss her intensity and the way she would smack the wall in her pau de deux with EAM.

William Dixon Popp

The first time I ran out of the ballroom after Malcolm, it was the handsome ginger William Dixon Popp. And right out of the gate, I got “Popp’d” and was forever changed. Later that night—I was doing a double—I had the pleasure of meeting his counterpart, Calloway. What a brilliant Man in Bar incarnation. Extremely off-putting and awkward—I think that was the point—William created one of the strongest personalities in the McKittrick. I never had the pleasure of attending one of Calloway’s Salons (I hear there will be more). And it’s one of my biggest regrets. Definitely going to miss that red beard (and pecs and abs), his very serious Malcolm, his broad, masculine dancing and the dashing and disarming Calloway.

Lily Ockwell

What a stunning and amazing performer. I often think of her as being demure and quiet, but she’s anything but. How can you forget one of Lily’s blood-curdling screams? It’s her signature call and is forever etched in my memory. During the ballroom, at the beginning of the rave and throughout as Lady MacDuff. I had my first Lady MacDuff 1:1 with Lily. I was thrilled to have a 1:1 with her Sexy Witch as well. She is one of the most beguiling Sexy Witches. My favorite moment is during the autopsy with Fulton when she would bend over backwards with her eyes closed. Then she would suddenly come alive, open her eyes and mischievously stare at a white mask. Then she’d snap forward and surprise Fulton. It was brilliant and no one else does it (that I’ve seen). And I loved when she met up with her fellow Witches and ran off to the Rave. Lily would stomp her foot and then take off down the cooridor. Lily is a pure joy and talent and it’s not going to be the same without her.

Chris Hernandez

I only had the pleasure of meeting Chris this past weekend. And he is a delight. One of the most genuine and friendly performers in the McKittrick. i admired his dancing as MacDuff and his unique interpretations of Fulton and Bargarran. We only knew you for a short time and yet you’ve left your mark on the McKittrick. Hope we’ll see you again some day. 

[whokeepswithwolves]

updates:

Didn't end up going to drowned man, whoops

Pickle jokes are the funniest thing on the planet