Spooky season is officially upon us, and one of our favorite things to do is experience the wonderful immersive events in Los Angeles. Downtown Repertory Theater has been a must-see of ours for years, with their previous productions like Witch! and It’s Alive! Co-written and directed by Devon Armstrong, “NOIR!” is a thrilling good time, perfect for everyone who loves a good mystery.

Our night began at the Heritage Square Museum, a location that feels like it was built for this show. Walking through the historic grounds and vintage buildings, from creaky parlors to shadowy paths, was an adventure in itself. We absolutely loved being able to move around the scenes and truly felt a part of the world. The attention to detail added to the immersion, especially within the scenes set in the Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church, which felt like we were on a real 1940s studio hot set.

One of the best parts of “NOIR!” is the intimate and more personal scenes. We were separated from the group – and each other – and sent on our own journeys, leading to thought-provoking one-on-one scenes with the cast. This immersive approach never left us feeling lost, either. The story was so expertly written that even after being split up and returned to the group repeatedly, the plot was crystal clear, a feat that some other immersive events fail to achieve.

The talent was top-notch, with the entire cast sucking you into the story. Special shout-out to Kaitlyn Fae, who played Liza. Her beautiful singing was an unexpected highlight that added a lovely touch to the whole experience. “NOIR!” manages to be thrilling and exciting without ever being scary, which makes it an amazing and accessible immersive event for the season.

For more information on the wonderful cast and crew, please visit their program.

This weekend is the last for NOIR! at Heritage Square Museum before they move the production to another location. Get more information on their website and tickets on Eventbrite.