MEET MARKET
Have you ever gone to a speed dating event where singles meet, spend a few minutes talking to one person, and then move on to the next person, each for a pre-arranged chat session time? For those who have, and especially for those who never tried it, Last Call Theatre is presenting Love Game, their latest site-specific immersive experience where audience members get to listen in at such an event, assisting singles looking for love to decide which other single is the best match for them. And who doesn’t love to play a matchmaker now and then?
Abiane as Cina the MC captures the crowds attention
Cleverly designed from the moment you enter The Virgil bar and nightclub in East Hollywood, audience members are welcomed as new Research Assistants at the inaugural Matchmakr speed dating event where seven specifically selected singles have been invited to mingle and follow their hearts to their “optimal relationship(s).” After checking in, participants get to decide which single they wish to follow and assist in pairing up during the two-hour speed dating event.
Alex Borja as Elliot & Timothy Willard as Sean share a kiss
On the night I attended, the singles included Alex Borja as Elliott, Kylie Buckles-Hall as Lenora, Caitlyn Gorman as Brooklyn, Mads McDonough as Asher, Jack Darnell as Noah Marcus, Timothy Willard as Sean McManus and Peyton Wray as Austin. Each did such a thorough acting job that I have no idea if each was presenting a completely different personality from their own since each was spot-on authentic as their character when called upon to improvise dialogue with participants and other singles.
Colin Breslin as bartender Skritz
Background information on each single is included at the sign-in table, allowing participants to scan through the types of singles looking to mingle that night before deciding which one to follow. After reading about independent LA native Austin loving the Dodgers, I decided to follow her and was given a badge to wear which displayed her photo so I would know which single to meet in the bar. It was easy to spot her, and her outgoing personality and interest in meeting new people had me hooked to assist her in finding love from the moment we met.
Kylie Buckles-Hall as Lenora and Caitlyn Gorman as Brooklyn on a speed date
After getting to know her better, I decided to wander around and listen in to other conversations going on as well as read up a bit about the others to help me decide to whom Austin should speak. That is part of evening’s fun—you get to decide how to play along so each performance is guaranteed to be unique. To make it even more interesting for cast members, at certain performances there are swing members who take on the roles and add their own personal idiosyncrasies to make each character their own. Swings include Atlas Alma, James Bilinsky and Charlotte Robinson.
Mads McDonough as Asher and Timothy Willard as Sean are observed on a speed date
Also involved in keeping the action moving in a timely manner so each single can meet all the others are Abiane as Cina the MC and Karaoke Host, Colin Breslin as Jason “Skritz” Dorney The Bartender, and Rebecca Oca-Nussbaum as Allegra Moore, the Scientist who runs the Matchmakr company hosting the event. These three knowledgeable cast members are always available to answer questions, offer opinions, and make suggestions to keep the audience involved with making the best matches for the single being followed. Playing along with the audience were Last Call members who joined in the fun by following a single and verbally encouraging everyone to ask questions and make the right match decision.
Mads McDonough as Asher charms Caitlyn Gorman as Brooklyn
Last Call Theatre always adds to the realistic ambiance of their immersive experiences; this time by holding the event in a real bar/nightclub so it was easy to keep the drinks and laugher flowing as singles mingled from table to table or at the bar, perhaps even singing karaoke to appropriately titled tunes. In fact, once “Team Austin” made the choice for her to select Noah after finding out he also loved The Dodgers, I made sure to get them invited up to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” which got the whole place singing along with great enthusiasm. Perhaps that excitement was due to both of those two actors not usually playing those roles in the show, so it was the first time they were matched together that way. Do you love singing Karaoke? There were several pairings during the show where those singing were allowed to select their own tunes to sing that complemented their pairing or individual personality. And when I asked Cina the MC if the same songs were selected every time, she responded with a hearty, “Absolutely not!” So be ready to suggest a few tunes for couples as you work your matchmaking skills.
Maria Sole Quintili as Noemi turns to her Research Assistants for advice
Creative Lead and Director Michael DiNardo, whose imagination accepts no boundaries, shares, “I hope audiences enjoy a show where they see some parts of themselves in the characters that reminds them of why we’re all worthy of love.” For even the lonely, poorly dressed, or incredibly shy person across the room may be your perfect match. And you will never know until you strike up a conversation. Or perhaps, like me, you will walk away feeling proud of yourself for remaining single to mingle to your heart’s content, ready to open your heart to new people who may cross your path, even when you least expect it.
Rebecca Oca-Nussbaum as Dr. Allegra Moore and Abiane as Cina share a moment
Along with DiNardo, kudos to the entire production team for creating a fun immersive experience guaranteed to make audience members feel totally involved with the story and outcome for the characters including Assistant Director Liviera Lim; Producer/Marketing Lead Ashley Busenlener; Costume Designer Kale Hinthorn; Production Designer Shoshanna Ruth Green; Lighting Designer David Kohanzad; and Stage Manager Chris Ordonez for keeping the moveable set pieces coordinated perfectly with little disruption to the ongoing action.
photos by Charly Charney Cohen
Love Game: An Immersive Matchmaking Experience
Last Call Theatre
The Virgil, 4519 Santa Monica Blvd. in L.A. 21+
street parking only so arrive early
Sun at 7; Thurs at 8
ends on March 2, 2025
for tickets ($50-$80+fees), visit Last Call
Instagram: @lastcalltheatre
TikTok: @lastcalltheatre
for more shows, visit Theatre in LA
