“Do you trust me?”
I’m staring down at a set of wooden stairs. A small light flickers overhead, barely lighting the way into a decrepit wine cellar. Who even has a basement in L.A.? I look over at Claudia, one of the characters of The Willows, the immersive (and very creepy) theater experience I willingly signed myself up for. She’s watching me expectantly.
“I guess,” I sigh.
She grabs my hand and leads me deeper into the Beckett Mansion, the historic house in West Adams that’s currently hosting the horror experience. A bang goes off overhead. I yelp as we speed down the steps into near pitch blackness.
Worn floorboards make up the walls of an underground maze. We turn a corner to find a dollhouse replica of the house upstairs, lit in red light. Totally chill and not at all creepy. Claudia begins to recount the story of her dear, departed husband. I’m having a hard time listening.
This is theater, I remind myself while I look around at cobwebs and medication bottles uneasily. I won’t die… Probably.
What is The Willows?
It’s impossible to know what to expect before entering The Willows. You probably haven’t seen much about the show, as phones aren’t allowed in and guests are asked to keep the story a secret. Only 24 guests are allowed in each performance, and each person has a unique experience as they interact with characters around the property – and try to unravel the mystery of the resident family.
“The Willows invites guests to a clandestine family gathering inside a historic Los Angeles mansion—where secrets simmer under every toast and every smile & lingering glance hide a dark mystery,” reads a press release. “This is not a show you simply watch; it’s a multi-sensory, fully immersive experience where the line between guest, character, and reality dissolves.”
The estate typically hosts two shows a day, typically Thursdays through Sunday, one at 6:30 pm and one at 9:30 pm. Guests’ participation in the story and world is essential to how the night plays out.
“Over the course of the evening, you’ll wander richly detailed rooms, follow alluring characters, and piece together a story that feels part psychological thriller and part dark comedy of manners. Conversations spark new paths, small choices ripple into big revelations, and no two journeys through the house are the same.”
The show originally debuted in 2017 and has reportedly sold out more than 1,800 performances. Tickets are currently $250.
The Willows returns to L.A. this Friday, February 13th.
What’s included?
Any restrictions?
The experience is 21+ and contains mature themes. The dress code is cocktail attire; black and solid colors are suggested. No phones or cameras are permitted inside the mansion. And make sure to arrive on time, as no late entry is allowed.
Find more details here.