Paradiso (immersive theater experience)

Paradiso is an immersive theater experience and interactive game that was created by Michael Counts.[1] It is expected to span four chapters, the first of which opened in New York City during July 2016.[2] Counts drew inspiration for Paradiso from Dante's Divine Comedy and the experience features elements of crime noir.[3]

Paradiso: Chapter 1

The first chapter's premise places ten participants in a locked apartment that they must escape while also evading the Virgil Corporation, a shadowy crime gang.[4] Players must solve puzzles within a certain span of time, otherwise they will not be able to complete the entire experience. Special effects such as 3D technology and actors are used during the experience to enhance game play.[3]

Reception

Paradiso: Chapter 1 received praise from media outlets such as Fangoria and the New York Daily News, the former of which felt that it was an "intense and reinvigorating escape room experience" and compared it favorably to similar immersive theater experiences by Counts.[3][5] The New Yorker was mostly positive in their review, noting that while the puzzles and plot "feel desultory" the show worked as a haunted house experience.[6] The New York Times commented that "What you get out of it will depend on what you put into it, and perhaps on whom you bring along", further remarking that knowing the strengths fellow participants ahead of time would potentially make it faster to solve puzzles, as time was limited.[7]

The Village Voice was more critical, as they felt that the plot was too thin, a criticism shared by Exeunt Magazine.[8][9]

References
  1. Boyce, Michael (August 16, 2016). "Multi-room escape adventure". FOX. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  2. Collins-hughes, Laura (2016-07-07). "From Dante to 'Walking Dead,' He's a Master of Immersive Theater". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  3. McDonnell, Mary (July 21, 2016). "'Paradiso: Chapter 1' escape-room experience is immersive, scary". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  4. Kennedy, Mark (2016-08-14). "Escape rooms get an upgrade into a deeper theatrical show". Post and Courier. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  5. Hanley, Ken W. (September 2, 2016). "Event Report: "PARADISO: CHAPTER 1" Escape Room Experience!". Fangoria. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  6. "Paradiso: Chapter 1 (review)". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  7. Genzlinger, Neil (2016-07-25). "Review: If You Want to Find Your Way Out of 'Paradiso,' Think Fast". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  8. MITTLEFEHLDT, RAFI (August 4, 2016). "Review: Paradiso: Chapter 1 in NYC". Exeunt Magazine. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  9. Felton-Dansky, Miriam (2016-07-26). "'Paradiso: Chapter 1' Is an Escape Room You'll Want to Escape From". Village Voice. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
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