Immersive Experience: The Speakeasy Society Presents THE KANSAS COLLECTION: THE INVITATION

A little less than a year ago I started a journey through the imaginative Land of Oz through Speakeasy Society’s “Kansas Collection.” Each performance has been bringing guests closer and closer to uncovering the truth surrounding Dorothy while also preparing us for the impending climax that is soon to come. A few weekends ago I got to attend the latest show, THE INVITATION, where I found myself coming face to face with a decision that would set into motion my stance within the Land of Oz. If you aren’t familiar with my journey or need a refresher, visit my reviews for Chapter I: The Key, Chapter 2: The Axe and Chapter 3: The Door to get all caught up.

In THE INVITATION guests have once again returned to The Emerald City after the capture of Dorothy Gale. There is an air of jubilation, happiness and even some peace that seems to have been restored from The Scarecrow. However, if one looks hard enough, they can begin to see the cracks in the foundation. As the saying goes, this may just be the calm before the storm…

When I arrived at my designated time, I was happy to find that the address brought me to the same place in which I had my first experience in Chapter 1: The Key. Waiting for me was a familiar face, that of Lyman, who always has the ability to pull a smile out from within me. Leading us to a large tent, we learn that we have a new assignment from the Scarecrow and that we must get prepared for his upcoming nuptials! Wait, what? A wedding you say! Well yes, a wedding is approaching and we have been asked to help seal the invitations.

We are then lead into an area where we meet two very peculiar characters, Tik Tok and Jack Pumpkinhead. These two are the remaining “prisoners” who are tasked with doing any and all work that is required of them. As my guest went and spoke with Tik Tok, I was left to be entertained by Jack Pumpkinhead, and let me tell you, it was a hell of an experience. Jack wove a tale that was filled with speculations, loyalty, and allegories, resulting in a mashup of truth and fantasy. He wanted to follow the rules that he was given, he was a prisoner after all and was commanded to do things, but at the same time he wanted to help Dorothy and myself. It was at this point that he gave me an option, to make a choice on where I stood and where I was to stand in the upcoming wedding. I made my choice and I must now live with that and any of the consequence that may befall me and those around me. I won’t say what it is because I don’t want to give too much away, but if you have gone through THE INVITATION, let me know… I want to know where you stand.

Overall, THE INVITATION was exactly what I wanted from the folks at the Speakeasy Society. They have crafted such an imaginative world with the use of minimal props and designs which really showcases the immense talent that they all have. With superb acting and storytelling, “The Kansas Collection” has quickly become one of my favorite immersive events and one that I constantly look forward to attending. Last I heard they were going to be putting on Chapters 1-4 again leading up to the wedding, so if you haven’t had a chance to experience this yet, you may just get that opportunity. For more information and to find out when their next shows will be, visit www.speakeasysociety.com. Hopefully I’ll see you in blue at the wedding…

Nikhil Pai as Tik Tok, John Henningsen as Lyman, Zan Headley as Private Joe Files, Michael Bates as Jack Pumpkinhead

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Shannon McGrew

Founder/Co-Owner at Nightmarish Conjurings

Shannon is the Founder of Nightmarish Conjurings and a lover of all things horror and haunt related. When she's not obsessively collecting all things "Trick 'R Treat" related, or trying to convince everyone that "Hereditary" is one of the greatest horror films ever made, you can find her designing interiors for commercial restaurants. An avid haunt fan, Shannon spends the entire year visiting haunts and immersive experiences throughout the Southern California area and hopes to one day design her own haunted attraction.

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