Having found myself in the middle of several of David Pisa’s previous puzzle/escape room scenarios for Walking Shadow in the past (their first with 1926 Pleasant in 2006, just a handy walk from home in my old neighborhood at the time, then Saboteur in 2011 and Cabal in 2019), I can attest to the fact that they are all fun, slightly trippy experiences. If you go, you will have a good time. So of course David’s solo outing was going to be in my Top 10 (as Walking Shadow has been in the past, 2005, twenty years ago - phew!)
The Show Must Go On: a Backstage Escape Game
Venue: Phoenix Theater Lobby
Show Description:
A theater-themed escape room for just 8 players at a time.
The Diva’s diamonds are missing!
Are they merely misplaced, or is something sinister afoot?
The backstage crew must crack the case and save the show!
Game creator David Pisa is not just the Executive Director of Walking Shadow Theatre Company, he’s also an award-winning escape room designer. He’s the co-creator of Utopia at Southdale Mall, which was declared one of the best escape rooms in the world by Room Escape Artist. For Walking Shadow, he crafted the puzzles for four immersive plays-with-puzzles: Cabal, REBOOT, Saboteur, and 1926 Pleasant (which sold out its run at the Fringe Festival in 2006, years before the first official “escape room” in the US!) Shows at all 55 timeslots in the festival, but with an audience of just 8 people.
Genre & Content: Mystery, Audience Participation
Warnings: No late seating allowed
The only trick with David Pisa’s Fringe outing is that there’s only room for eight people, so reservations are probably a good idea. There’s a couple of other shows at the Phoenix in the theater itself (this show is out in the lobby), and there’s other nearby venues like Open Eye and American School of Storytelling if you try your luck without a reservation and don’t make the cut. And it’s running in quite literally every single slot of the Fringe schedule, so there are a lot of chances to catch it over the 11 day stretch of the festival.
They have a super-quippy and informative FAQ so I’m not going to re-invent the wheel, I’ll just post it here as well for handy reference when I myself try to make a go of seeing the show…
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a play or an escape room?
This is an actual escape room, set backatage at a theater. There aren't any actors. YOU are the main characters.
Did you do this before?
THE SHOW MUST GO ON has previously been at DalekoArts in New Prague, at the Zephyr Theatre in Stillwater, at the Phipps in Hudson, and at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing. If you played it there, this is the same game.
Am I really locked in the room?
Nope! The goal is not to escape – instead, you’re solving a mystery! This game will take place in the Phoenix Theater's lobby.
Do I need to know anything about theater?
No! Patrons take on roles including “stagehand,” “hair and makeup artist,” “assistant stage manager” and “lighting technician” to solve theater-related puzzles. But no theater experience is required!
Wait, does this require role-playing?
Gosh no. This is different from LARPing or a murder mystery dinner party. You'll just be you, solving puzzles. No drama please.
Is it scary?
No.
Are there any age requirements?
We recommend ages 16+ (due to puzzle challenges, not content).
Is the game physical?
There are no physical challenges, but you should be prepared to move around as you search for clues.
How many people can play?
The game can hold up to 8 players. We'll run the game with however many people buy tickets, whether thats's the max of 8, or just you!
Will I be paired with strangers?
Yes! If you don't book all 8 tickets for your group, you can expect to make some new friends. We're all theater people, it'll be fine.
Do I need to make an advance reservation?
We will sell tickets at the door if they're avaiable. But due to the small capacity, we expect shows to sell out in advance.
How long does the game last?
Before the game we’ll give you some brief instructions and an introduction — less than 5 minutes. Then you will have 55 minutes to solve the mystery. After the official hour of the show is over, you’ll also have a little time afterwards if you want to celebrate or ask any questions.
Do you allow late seating?
No, please. Once the game starts, any latecomers will have missed important information, and can't be integrated into the group.
Do I need to bring anything with me in order to play the game?
No! Everything needed to play the game is provided. Just bring your friends and your puzzle-solving skills.
Are you really doing 55 performances?
Yep! Every slot of the festival. And we wonder if this might be a Fringe record.
Here’s some handy links to my Fringe Top 10, Top 11 to 20 and Returning Favorites lists for this year, as well as all the coverage of this year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival.
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