Every so often we get a bit of correspondence here at NoPro from a reader/listener who would otherwise remain anonymous. After all, we’re lucky enough to have people connecting with us all over the planet, from all walks of life.

Recently we were talking with one reader in NYC who had taken in Seeing You, the new Randy Weiner/Ryan Heffington show that has been both highly anticipated and having a series of setbacks during previews. The former because of the creators’ pedigree. Heffington’s work as a cheoregrapher has reinvigorated music videos, working with artists like Sia, Arcade Fire, and Florence Welch. Weiner produced the NYC production of Sleep No More and was the force behind Queen of the Night, The Donkey Show, and the legendary night club The Box. (Read Molly Crabapple’s autobiography for more on The Box.)

With all that behind it, Seeing You is opening to intense scrutiny. We aren’t on deck — yet — for an offical review, but here’s peek into the the preview shows:

Seeing You is a two hour interactive theatre experience. Set in 1940s Hoboken, we follow the journey of soldiers preparing to join WW2 and those left behind.

With it’s impressive creative credentials and hefty price tag (preview $75, regular $80-$100) my expectations were high, and I wanted to love Seeing You. I caught a preview on June 4th.

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In a crowd of what at least felt like at least 150 people, audiences roamed between simultaneous scenes, led by lighting, shift focus and performers enticing the audience through the evolving maze divided by what looked like large plastic sheets.

There are some fantastic creative ideas, brilliant use of space and shifting audience between free roaming to being fluidly directed between scenes, however there was no escaping feeling like herded cattle, which limited the intimate impact.

I loved the opener of the show, which posed a strong moral question, however I’d have loved a clearer progression of the theme and to feel a bit more empathy for the characters plights.

The performances through dance and speech and were generally pretty strong, only I felt the direction of looking possessed sometimes made the acting feel a little amateur, in an otherwise slick production.

Costumes differentiated the cast, but there was one instance I thought a member of the audience had taken it upon themselves to pretend to be cast (I was mistaken, they were cast), but this would never have happened with SNM masks or with smaller audience. But perhaps that doesn’t matter.

Originally a six week run, previews started a few weeks late, such must be the challenge of completely transforming an empty warehouse, but has already been extended through August 31st.

It’s certainly worth a look and if you’re an immersive theatre junkie I’ll bet there’s no keeping you away.

Seeing You is co-directed by Randy Weiner and Ryan Heffington, who also choreographs. Production and costume design is by Desi Santiago and environmental storytelling is by David Gallo.

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