If the meetings we’ve been sitting in on are any indication, there’s a dinner theatre revival that is underway and the immersive experience component is the key to unlocking that.

 ICEBERG New Music is presenting a three night stand this week of Dinner to Die For at Bad Therapy in Brooklyn, which pairs a multi-course meal with a site-responsive production that mixes performances by soprano Raphaella Medina and pianist Will Healy with a tale of intrigue. To whit:

“All the city's luminaries will be there, just waiting for the big champagne toast. Paxton Paz, director of the Municipal Opera... Liva Vanguard-Künstler, wealthy wife of the world's foremost conductor... Victoire Campion, the feisty French etoile... What will happen when all these egos are packed together in one room?” 

We checked in with Alex Burtzos, Artistic Director of ICEBERG New Music, about the show which runs through May 16th.

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NO PROSCENIUM: Tell us a little bit about your experience! What’s it about? What makes it immersive?


Alex Burtzos: Dinner to Die For is a synthesis of gourmet cuisine, live music, and immersive drama. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal designed by chef William Emery, performances by soprano Raphaella Medina and pianist Will Healy, and complimentary wine and beer. Beyond that, we don’t want to give anything away. But suffice to say, all is not as it seems…

Soprano Raphaella Medin (Image courtesy ICEBERG New Music)

NP: What was the inspiration for your upcoming experience? 


AB: We’ve been working on this production for years. It started with a simple idea: what if contemporary music was paired with fine dining? Over time, the concept grew and grew. We are thrilled to finally be sharing it with guests.

NP: What do you think fans of immersive will find most interesting about this latest experience? 


AB: This is an immersive experience designed first and foremost by a team of composers. Guests may be surprised by the level of depth and detail in the musical side of the production (hopefully in a good way!).

Liva Vanguard-Künstler, wealthy wife of the world's foremost conductor. (Image courtesy ICEBERG New Music)

NP: Once you started designing and testing what did you discover about this experience that was unexpected?

AB: We had to work very hard to fit the production to the space. A restaurant in Brooklyn is (obviously) quite different from the concert halls or theaters we’re most familiar with. We spent long hours customizing the acoustics and amplification capabilities of Bad Therapy to make the experience as sonically immersive as possible.

Paxton Paz, director of the Municipal Opera. (Image courtesy ICEBERG New Music)

NP: What can fans who are coming to this, or thinking about coming to this, do to get into the mood of the experience? 


AB: Hmmm… I would recommend blasting Puccini’s Tosca while reading an Agatha Christie novel. (And maybe skip lunch, so you’re extra hungry by showtime!).

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