Once again the Hollywood Fringe Festival reminds the world that the Film Capital of The World is also an active and vibrant playground for theatre — from absurdist experiments, to re-imagining of classic plays to awkwardly honest solo shows — and one of the largest reservoirs of theatre madness west of the Mississippi.

For the past few years it has been the proving ground of new immersive work in Los Angeles as the genre continues to grow and flourish — even long before Immersive became an official category and local players like Annie Lesser, Capital W and Mister and Mischief took the circuit by storm.

So whether you live in LA, LA adjacent or you’re part of the the vast immersive diaspora, consider visiting our fair city and seeing just what magic the Fringe has to offer.

Who will be the new voices that break through at this year’s Fringe?

Will strange encounters await beyond the borders of the Fringe Zone?

That’s what we attempt to answer here in our annual guide to the immersive listings at the HFF. The Hollywood Fringe Festival is like a grand buffet of theatre, and like any good sommelier or proud waiter, we’re here to help you find the right tastes for your immersive palete.

So we haven’t seen most of these shows (yet), so we can’t vouch for their quality, but we can let you know what’s piqued our interest and help you refine your aim as you wade into the Festival Frenzy.

The Fringe starts in June, but tickets for the Fringe go on sale May 1st — at 11AM PDT — and if it’s anything like last couple of years, some shows may sell out within minutes.



SPOTLIGHT

Tales By Candlelight

Dream your adventure.

Where: Hollywood, location to be revealed on ticket purchase
Price: $99
Run Time: 70 Minutes
Tags: immersivetheatre, #intimate, #solo, #interactive


Contact: Light

SPENCER WILLIAMS (“The Guest & The Host: Make Music”) has teamed up with CANTRIP CANDLES to create “A singular collaborative storytelling experience, driven by scent.”

“An olfactory journey to create an artifact of a place that never was. A place drawn from your imagination… Unlike anything I had ever imagined on my own… I’m going to cherish this forever.” — Noah Nelson

This is one of the few ones that we were lucky enough to see before hand. Read Kevin’s review if you’re on the fence on this one.

Content Advisories: Presence of scented oils and light, water-based haze (allergies and respiratory ailments must be relayed prior to appointment).

Cannot accommodate Congenital Anosmia or pervasive respiratory ailments (temporary or permanent).

This is an experience that easily accommodates the visually impaired.

Mobility Advisories: There are stairs upon entrance. Participants will be seated for the entire experience. Movement is limited, with exception to steps at the entrance. Every attempt will be made to assist in entry, and a refund will be issued if we’re unable to accommodate.

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Best Night Ever: A Bachelor(ette) Night

The big night before the big day…

Where: Pig N Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Blvd
Price: $50
Run Time: 1 hour
Tags: #limo, #alcohol, #comedy, #21+
Contact: Moderate



Members of the creative teams behind Paulie’s Polymers, #metaforyou, and What Went Wrong are teaming up to make some magic.

Billed as an immersive and interactive bacherlor/ette party (with drinks!) where you get to help to decide the fate of the couple, Best Night Ever just might live up to its name.

Content Advisories: Discussion/humor/themes relating to sex. There will be alcohol present but drinking is not mandatory. The show will take place in a moving vehicle.

Mobility Advisories: Audiences will be seated in a vehicle for most of the show.

Wheelchair Accessible: No

The Pod

Space can be a lonely place, so we made you a friend.

Where: Thymele Arts (Kansas Room), 5481 Santa Monica Blvd.
Price: $30
Run Time: 20 minutes
Tags: #scifi, #one-on-one, #21+
Contact: Moderate



A sci-fi drama that puts you in a training simulation for a decades-long trip to a distant star system. The catch: this “Pod can only carry one human being. Your partner is not human. But we hope she will be the perfect companion.”

From Katelyn Schiller and Nick Rheinwald-Jones of Safehouse ’77 and The Sideshow.

Content Advisories: Moments of darkness (blindfolds will be used), periodic flashing lights, periodic loud noises

Mobility Advisories: Participants will be seated for the majority of the experience; a minimal amount of walking/movement will be required, and we can accommodate guests on walkers or crutches. There are no stairs or uneven surfaces involved.

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Rock Band Murder Mystery

Who killed rock and roll?

Where: Unique Studio Space, 5770 Melrose Ave
Price: $40
Run Time: 90 minutes
Tags: #rocknroll, #gaming, #larp, #comedy, 18+
Contact: Moderate



Larpy fun from the producers of last year’s sleeper treat One Last Thing Before You Go. Dust off your Guitar Hero and your detective skills.

Have fun living your rock n’ roll fantasy or exercise your inner sleuth and figure out whodunnit before time runs out. Who killed rock and roll?

This interactive, immersive show focuses on a roarin’ rock band and their entourage. All participants assume the pre-generated personas of the band, manager, roadie, groupies, and other members of the crew. You interact with each other against a deadly threat, and one of you might even be a murderer! Can the show go on??

Content Advisories: Elements of or references to drug use, alcohol, cigarette smoking, violence, sex, prostitution, gambling, the occult and the usual bad behavior associated with rock and roll. Strong language, loud music, themes of exploitation, death/homicide. A cat lives at venue, but will not be present at show.

Mobility Advisories: Venue has a staircase to access (2nd floor) and a small split-level room. If attendees smoke, it must be outside. Attendees can sit/stand/walk as they like. Some audience may be asked to play a Rock Band or Guitar Hero video game, including singing, but they don’t have to be any good at it.

Wheelchair Accessible: No

NEW WORK FROM FRINGE VETERANS

Picnic Party

No Food. Except For Thought.

Where: Various Locations/Times Announced via instagram, but primarily at Delongpre Park
Price: Free
Run Time: If known
Tags: #SilentDisco #AllAges
Contact: Light



Annie Lesser (A(partment 8), Getting To Know You) offers up a pop-up silent disco experience. Follow @PicnicPartyLA on instagram for times/locations.

Positive Affirmation Silent Disco Party.
No Food. Except for Thought.

Content Advisories: None

Mobility Advisories: We can accommodate with heads up. Might ask for donation for accommodation if we need to buy extra materials/supplies.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Internal

The greatest danger lies within.

Where: Starting at 1100 Vine St.and proceeds North on Vine.
Price: $15
Tags: #horror, #solitary, #zombies, #18+
Contact: Light


They Played Productions, the creators of the Captivated series return to Fringe with a horror story that puts you in the center of the action.

When the zombie apocalypse hits, the truest danger will not come from outside.

From They Played Productions (creators of last year’s immersive hit “God: the Apologies Tour” and HFF16’s horror musical “Nothing Bad”) comes a brand-new immersive horror tale that you will experience entirely by yourself. Alone on the streets of Hollywood, you will face a darkness that may devour you whole. A darkness that will give you nowhere to turn as it’s all happening directly…to…you.

Boxing Your Demons

Where: Thymele Arts — California Room, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd
Price: $20–30
Run Time: 60 minutes
Tags: #farce, #darkcomedy, #18+
Contact: Moderate



The spread of the internet and globalist perspectives in the 21st century has increasingly pitted the traditional idea of America as a world leader and moral center against the reality of modern atrocities; from foreign policy to domestic policing. The result? Cognitive dissonance on a national scale.

BOXING YOUR DEMONS is a new Larpen Lifestyle Solution created by Guy and Sheila Larpen that combines fitness, nutrition, spirituality, fitness, skincare, dream-sculpting, wellness, fitness, boxing, non-traditional traditional therapy, and other scientific methods to finally say BYE BYE to this identity crisis in just 60 minutes! Cute fitness attire, a smartphone, and personal chakra crystals recommended #innerbeauty #gratitude #cognitivedissonance

Content Advisories: Strong language, Flashing Lights, Haze
Simulated sexual intimacy, Themes around mental health, abusive relationships, current acts of American atrocities both domestic and international. Moments of darkness.

Mobility Advisories: Audience will need to be able to physically move at times through the space. Further physical interaction and exercise encouraged by performers, but not necessary.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

NEW VOICES

Ascend: When Myths Fall, Heroes Rise

Where: Thymele Arts (Shirley Dawn Dance Studio), 5481 Santa Monica Blvd
Price: $20-$35
Run Time: 2 Hours
Tags: #adventure, #interactive, #mythology, #
Contact: Light



This event comes from design and theatre students at USC.

Gods of four mythologies call upon you, their demigod children, to save them from a rising threat. Go on quests to find the truth, prove yourself in a divine tournament and decide how this story ends. Only you can save the world in this interactive, immersive, multi-room experience.

Content Advisories: None

Mobility Advisories: Demigod audience members should anticipate being on their feet for the majority of this event.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

TETHERED

A political thriller from In House Theatre

Where: Thymele Arts — Kansas Room, 5481 Santa Monica Blvd
Price: $9-$18
Tags: #drama, #politics, #13+
Contact: None


“Tethered” is a furiously paced and whip-smart morality tale set in the world of mid-market mayoral politics. At it’s core, it’s a Sorkin-esque blistering romp about the characterizations that can both define us and hold us back.

Content Advisories: Sexual assault is discussed, but never depicted.

Mobility Advisories: We can accommodate all audience members.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Hell’s Finest

Where: The Complex Hollywood (Ruby Theatre), 6476 Santa Monica Blvd
Price: $10
Run Time: 45 min
Tags: #horror, #darkcomedy, $17+
Contact: Light



A sadist, a murderer, and a predator, all share one common goal: to become the leader of the finest cult, the Ascendants of Abaddon. There’s only one problem. In order to obtain this position, they must go up against each other in a riveting competition to impress the cult’s current leader: Adam. He’s spectacularly charming and possesses the uncanny ability to influence all those who cross his path. With secrets spilled and matches met, the three contestants grow more and more daring with their desperate attempts to gain total power. However, no matter what happens, no matter who lies and who cheats, Adam always calls the final shots.

Content Advisories: discussions of rape, suicide, death, illegal drug use, sex
depictions of violence, death, strong language, strong religious/cult beliefs and discussions

Mobility Advisories: No other mobility advisories. The show takes place in a theater and the audience will be sitting the entire time.

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Life Plan, or How to Live Your Best Life in a Collapsing World!

Where: studio/stage, 520 N Western Ave
Price: $6–15
Run Time: 80 minutes
Tags: #scifi, #satire, #18+
Contact: None



It’s that rare time of year when the Life Plan presentation comes through the Los Angeles Habitable Zone! Tired of struggling in underground shelters and fleeing from mutated dumpster dogs? Life Plan is the answer! You can live out your dream life and you can experience true fulfillment, but only if you come to one of our five Life Plan Presentations this June. This is your last chance of 2068, so don’t miss out!

Life Plan is immersive satirical sci-fi — you’re live at a timeshare sales pitch from our dystopian future. Fulfillment is the offer. Salvation is the opportunity. Will you cash out? Will you buy in?

Content Advisories: Strong language and very frank discussions about the value of human life.

Mobility Advisories: None

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

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