You Have Until Saturday to See ‘The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini’
©Mark Shelby Perry 2018
You had us at Houdini. Throw in a séance, a water tank, and a disputed death, and we were completely hooked.
We were already longtime fans of artist, writer and producer Cynthia von Buhler’s work (The Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning, The Brothers Booth, The Illuminati Ball), so when we heard that her latest immersive theater production, “The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini” was being performed nearby, we had to investigate.
©Mark Shelby Perry 2018
Based on von Buhler’s noir comic book series and graphic novel of the same name, the theater piece explores the events leading up to the death of the famed illusionist Houdini, with various characters taking contradictory points of view.
When we entered the building, we were immediately transported to 1926, and given a “passport” which allowed us to follow one character throughout the evening as he or she interacted with the other actors. (Like other immersive theater pieces, guests who come back for another performance can see things that they have missed. In this case, they can follow a different character, seeing the story through new eyes.)
©Mark Shelby Perry 2018
We got to follow private detective Minky Woodcock (played by the truly fabulous burlesque star and actress Pearls Daily), who discovers secrets about the final days of Houdini’s death. Among other characters, we crossed paths with Houdini himself (Vincent Cinque); Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Lord Kat), who believes that Houdini has supernatural powers; and Bess Houdini (Robyn Adele Anderson), who suspects that her husband is cheating on her. And also a live rabbit named Agatha Christie.
©Mark Shelby Perry 2018
The performance takes place in the historic townhouse which today includes the William Barnacle Tavern (formerly Sheib’s Place, a speakeasy where the New York City Council drank during Prohibition), along with the 199-seat Theatre 80 Saint Marks. The audience also follows the actors upstairs into apartments which have been transformed into a hotel room, a detective’s office and other settings.
We had a wonderful guide who helped the audience along in case anyone got lost. The set design, costumes, script and actors were quite mesmerizing, and when we left, we weren’t exactly sure what time period we were in.
From the graphic novel, “The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini” ©Cynthia von Buhler 2018
We don’t want to give too much away, but we were truly, well, immersed in the characters, the locations and the mystery.
“The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini” runs until this Saturday, November 10. Tickets can be purchased here. Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory (of course, we DID dress for the occasion). Comfortable shoes are suggested, since you’ll be walking around as well as climbing stairs.
Recent Stories
Stringer Punts on East Side Coastal Resilience Contract
For advocates of East River Park, a brief reprieve. City Comptroller, and former mayoral candidate Scott Stringer did not sign the $1.2 billion construction contract with IPC Resiliency Partners that would kickstart city funding for the East Side Coastal Resilience project. It apparently boils down to missing info and the review period having elapsed. “As […]
Restless Soul: Christopher Paul Stelling at Rockwood Music Hall
Christopher Paul Stelling lived in New York City for a few years. He inhabits a restless soul, however. Originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, the artist has lived in Colorado, Washington, Massachusetts, and currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina. He spends a lot of time on the road, too, except that last year he had no […]
Wegmans Market to Open at Former Astor Place Kmart
Something rather unexpected. Not two weeks after Kmart terminated its presence in Astor Place, its replacement is announced. From left field – Wegmans is to open its first Manhattan grocery at this location. The well-regarded, Rochester-based chain already maintains a store in Brooklyn. Curb your enthusiasm, though, as the new Wegmans won’t open at 770 […]
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot Wraps its Summer Season
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is wrapping up its latest affair with a lesser known production from the Bard’s canon. Continuing the Lower East Side tradition, the Drilling Company is back at the Clemente for three final performances this week – to perform Two Noble Kinsmen. For this iteration, director Hamilton Clancy has taken the […]
A Grave Marker for a Homeless Man Bludgeoned to Death on the Bowery
It’s been nearly two years since the city was rocked by the fatal bludgeoning of homeless men on the Bowery while they slept. Of the five beaten by 24-year-old attacker Randy Santos, four ultimately died – Chuen Kwok, Anthony Manson, Florencio Moran, and Nazario Vasquez-Villegas. Chuen Kwok was a vulnerable senior who, after the passing […]
