Every Halloween season Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre puts on one of our favorite “must-see” events, with their entertaining yet unsettling production of Urban Death: Tour of Terror. Needless to say, when we were invited to preview their new bone-chilling experience The Bogeyman, billed as a “terrifying, 20-minute theatrical experience through the darkest of your night-time terrors,” we jumped at the opportunity!
Having been to plenty of ZJU shows, we can officially say this was one of the more unique productions that we’ve attended! Staying true to their “scary meets sexy” feel, The Bogeyman is full of surprises. Regardless of if you’re a ZJU veteran or if this is your first experience, you’re in for a treat!
After signing a waiver, your small group will be placed in a single file line outside the theatre entrance. You’re blindfolded, told to place your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you, and led into the darkness. What follows is a true multi-sensory experience.
This disorienting and extremely intimate show has VERY close up interactions (think close breathing and light caressing), terrifying sounds, intriguing smells, and you will be touching a LOT of skin and hair. You will interact with a variety of creepy characters who will tell you disturbing tales, and at times you may be led away from the group for solo experiences. During a few instances you will also be instructed to temporarily remove your blindfold to see a hair-raising scene playing out right in front of you.
While everyone receives their own unique experience, we found that most of our group felt relief when a character they were familiar with would return to them to guide them through the darkness. Feeling secure in the grip of your darkest fears – talk about a mind-bend!
Though this experience is only 20 minutes long it truly immerses you, making it feel much longer. We had a great time and were talking about this for quite a while after we left, reflecting on and comparing each of our different interactions. If you’re uncomfortable with letting people into your personal space this might not be for you, but otherwise we highly recommend it!
The Bogeyman is for those 18+ and runs on Fridays and Saturday, November 8 – November 23 at Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group in North Hollywood. Tickets are only $16 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets and more information can be found on their website.
Featuring: Helena Hafstein, Kyle LaCross II, Jorge Lozano, Robertha Mallmann, Grace Soens, Weston Tucker and Laura Van Yck; Directed by Zombie Joe.
