Here’s something different to do for Valentines Day: Fire the arrows of Cupid himself. The new immersive experience Love Game allows audience members to be the matchmakers for a group of characters they’ve just met.
Halloween Every Night chatted with the show’s creative lead and director Michael DiNardo about what it takes to pull off such a different experience and what the audience can expect. And not expect.
Halloween Every Night: Describe the format and how it works.
Michael DiNardo: Love Game introduces audiences to a speed dating event, hosted by the company Matchmakr and their head researcher Dr. Allegra Moore, as they are instructed to observe one of eight Singles they have invited to test their “true love” hypothesis and methodology.
The audience will get to know the singles, observe them during speed dating, and based on who they think is a good match for their person, as well as what the science might advise them, they can choose to guide their single into the relationship they deem the most compatible for them. Audiences can interact with each other and the characters in the show directly, as well as utilize some key gifts and props to sway their affections, and try to come out on top with the happiest love story of everybody.
HEN: What inspired this show?
MD: The less serious answer is during Last Call’s first show Signals, Ashley and I joked ‘what if we just made a show that was all love quests?’ and ‘what if all the characters just kissed?’
But the more serious answer is I had a late-night conversation with my senior-year roommates about love and relationships, and came up with this theory about soulmates. Essentially, there are multiple people you’ll meet in life that you could date and fall in love with and have a ‘happily ever after’ life together, but among all those potential people, there would be one person that you are technically more compatible with than the rest. So although you can be completely happy with a bunch of people, you still only have one soulmate, and so that kind of concept of approaching love and relationships from data sets is what was the foundation for this show.
HEN: What’s it like developing characters for a show like this?
MD: It’s always a little tricky, because the actors that are cast do contribute so much to the creation and fullness of their characters, so we have to make sure that the characters are fleshed out enough that when we’re holding auditions, the people trying out for the show still have a strong sense of what the character type is, but we still leave room for the ensemble to put their mark on their characters. For Love Game in particular, the characters all started out from a bit of a ‘trope’ that you might see in a romantic comedy, where they all have a unique perspective on what love means to them, as well as key factors that have prevented them from finding love in the past. Starting from those perspectives allows us to have a cast of 10 dynamic, individual, and easily identifiable characters for the audience to follow, and potentially see aspects of themselves in the characters.
HEN: Are logistics a big part of making a show like this work? How much planning has gone into it?
MD: There’s definitely a lot of moving parts when it comes to these types of shows, not only do you have to worry about engaging the audience that’s interacting with you, but you also have to make sure the show keeps moving and the overall story of the show is being told. We use the phrases ‘actor brain’ and ‘character brain’ a lot in the rehearsal room because there is that duality of working on a show like this. You as the actor have to know the logistics and functions and mechanics of the show to make sure whatever the audience is suggesting in terms of play is feasible and feeds into the show, while you also have to stay committed to your character and put on a performance that does not stop for two full hours.
Our actors do not have any ‘offstage’ moments, they are in the venue playing with the audience from start to finish, so they have to be in the moment just as much as the audience is, which means that there’s been a lot of prep work put into their characterization and performances so they can live in the show for the full time.
HEN: Anything else you’d like to add?
MD: We really encourage the audience to play in this show. If you have an impulse or an idea that you want to try and make happen in the show, go for it!
I could not be prouder of my cast for being such a strong ensemble of committed, dynamic, nuanced performers who will happily take any suggestions from the audience and do the best they can to realize them. And even if what you have in mind might not be feasible in the confines of the show, perhaps it can be a springboard to an equally creative and entertaining idea. So let yourself have fun, release your inner child-like wonder as you play in the show, and we hope to see you come back again and again to try all the ideas you have.
Last Call Theatre presents
Love Game
Created & Directed by Michael DiNardo
Performances:
February 13 – March 2
8 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m., Saturday (2/15) & Sundays
Location:
The Virgil
4519 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029 (21+ Only)
Tickets:
*All tickets include (1) drink ticket. VIP tickets include access to a unique pre-show scene with one of the Singles (max two audience per Single).
General Admission: $60. VIP: $80. Preview: $45. VIP Preview: $65.
