Creep L.A.: 2021 Review

The Ghost Light at The Three Clubs, Hollywood, CA

What is Creep? That's a question that I sometimes have trouble articulating, because the structure and progression of this haunted interactive theater experience can be so nebulous and indistinct. Most people are used to theater shows with a beginning, a middle, and an end. There's a clear plot, and actions happen that advance the plot, and there is an obvious conflict, and it comes to an end, and some resolution happens (unless, of course, it's horror, which in case there's always a cliffhanger).

But Creep often doesn't operate like that. It's a mystery waiting to be unraveled while within the show, and it's up to each guest to interact with the cast and piece clues together to figure out the grand scheme of what's happening. This was the case in the most recent Creep that I attended, Haus of Creep, where all arriving guests knew was that they were attending a new, avant garde art installation with eccentric characters and (of course) where things weren't quite what they seemed. This was also the case in the previous Creep that Westcoaster covered, Creep Awake, where the state of consciousness in the realm of dreams and nightmares was explored with intimate, discomforting detail. And while there have been Creep shows that did follow a more linear format (Creep: Lore, the first Creep show that we ever experienced, drew from various stories from the popular podcast and took guests into the worlds of each of those stories as chapters of the walkthrough), by and large, the experience of Creep has been an experience of discovery within a world haunted by the macabre, the existential, and the psychological.

That intentional set-up of amorphous unknown was in place this year, as Creep announced its return to their more regular, full show (and even then, technically not, since groups are half the size they traditionally have been) format for this Halloween season. Strangely, though, in lieu of providing a descriptive subtitle or add-on, this year's show is simply entitled, "Creep L.A." No secondary title. Nothing to clue in what the story might be. Like a band that decides to wait several records in before releasing a eponymous album, Creep has named this year's show after itself, and it has included mysterious but vague cryptic social media posts about a town and a secret and something that calls to people and maybe doesn’t let them leave—all hinting to the story structure of the show without actually revealing any details on what plot or theme the production will entail. Instead, there’s ominous phrasing like, "you were drawn here" and "join us in the dark." But what exactly does that mean?

We'll tackle what happens in the course of the review, but be forewarned that there are technically light "spoilers" to the extent that explain the basic plot and premise of this year's show, so if you want to go in completely without any context, stop reading now and just scroll and enjoy the pretty pictures.

This year, Just FixIt Productions has acquired the use of a black box performance space next to The Three Clubs bar in Hollywood and christened it the Ghost Light. From what I've heard, there is an intention of potentially staging multiple future immersive shows and installations, and Creep L.A. is the first in the line. Guests are "drawn here" to the bar and spend approximately the first half of their hour+ experience in that space, taking in the ambiance, enjoying a drink, and--if they choose--interacting with some of the strange characters who move through the establishment. The second half moves into the Ghost Light space, where guests are plunged into the story itself, and the show plays out as a hybrid of immersive haunted theater and an interactive haunted maze walk-through.

The two-sided format isn't exactly new. Haus of Creep used a similar structure for its shown, with guests first mingling in a "museum lobby" area and mingling with both actors and other guests as they toured various pieces before the rest of the space was unveiled, expanding the footprint of the experience and opening up new side stories to engage and piece together the overall narrative. But even then, the second half contained a lot of free-exploration elements that contrast with this season’s more structured play portion.

For this year's Creep L.A., though, and in an effort to mitigate risk to the greatest manageable extent possible as the Coronavirus pandemic is still happening, each group is seated in a particular area of the bar and encouraged to remain there for this first portion--except when ordering a drink, using the restroom, or heading over to the photo booth stationed to the left and beside the bar as guests walk in. Rather than having guests move freely and intermingle, Creep L.A. has the characters come to the patrons, engaging them as though they are fellow citizens of this peculiar town that everyone has congregated to.

Throughout the evening, the context of the story arch plays out in interspersed audio over the bar speakers, interrupting show moments on the stage, and sudden cacophonies signifying an unseen and possibly supernatural discord that afflicts the residents of this local and apparently cursed town. As it turns out, this year's Creep L.A. is sort of an elaborate haunted house story, but rather than haunt a single family dwelling within, the "Hollow House"--as the locals have termed it--seems to have an impact over the entire town.

The characters who move through the bar are a colorful lot. There's the bar owner, Estelle, who lays out the real rules of the show in character and warns guests to keep their "smiles" (Creep-branded face masks given out to each guest before entering the venue) on at all times. Ginger Marmont croons soulful ballads on the Three Clubs stage, all the while eyed by a sultry dancer who seems to intimately and almost lustfully obsess over her. There's a writer who keeps notes on everyone else and seems to double as the town gossip, and a drunkard whose superficial quest for the next drug or the next party betrays a deeper pain. A tall, silent gentleman towers over the rest, wearing a mask that Hannibal Lecter would be proud of.

The environment in the bar carries a similar vibe to the "Open World" portion of Delusion: Reaper's Remorse, which we just reviewed yesterday. In both cases, guests have the ability to piece together the mystery at hand through segments and bites revolving around a larger, sinister force. But unlike Delusion, at Creep L.A., this discovery only comes before the walk-through experience (The Three Clubs does open to the public after 10pm, so anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful bar atmosphere after their Creep L.A. tour can re-enter then).

At a certain point in the first half experience, Estelle comes over to inform the group that they have a few minutes to finish their drinks and use the restroom. The next chime they hear will signal their turn to step through a portal and into the second half. And soon enough, a bell is heard, and the tall, silent man beckons, gathering the group of no more than six people into curtain-drawn foyer before speaking for the first time, informing guests (in character) of the rules of the following portion.

It's time to enter the town, and the grand reveal is nothing short of stunning. Somehow, in the black box theater space adjacent to the bar, the folks at Creep L.A. have built a cozy but fully developed town square fronted by meticulous facades. A colorful psychic shop, a curious storefront of curios, and a slightly seedy tavern are among the tenants here, all lit under a sumptuously moody illumination that seems to suggest enchantment and darker forces. And then there is the house... that "Hollow House" that is a constant and disquieting presence.

In contrast to previous Creep performances, the remaining experience of the second half is more linear and structured--no doubt to keep groups separate and maintain COVID safety protocols. Groups move from space to space, passed from actor to actor, and though there are small moments where people can split up, everyone largely sticks together, especially once they enter into the this nightmarishly fabled house that everyone can't stop talking about.

I'd like to take a moment to point out the incredibly rich and immersive theming and furnishings in this year's Creep L.A. Creep has always been beautifully designed, but this year, they have enlisted the help of Murder House Productions to aid in the set decoration and design, scare effects, and the soundscape and effects integration. The results are a lavishly luxuriant amount of detail—exquisitely lit—paired with haunting and immersive audio tracks that parallel the exuberant quality that we've seen at MHP's past haunts and push the visual and aural aesthetics of Creep even higher. It's fantastic to see Kyle and Aurora expanding their experience and reach beyond just their home haunt, because we've long said that they've produced professional-caliber work. The visuals and environment that they've helped craft in Creep L.A. are a stunning confirmation of this.

As guests move deeper and deeper into the house, the mood changes from Creep's usual eerie and enigmatic presentiment to more active terror. It seems the house itself is not just a dark, ominous force. It operates through its inhabitants, who have a certain compulsion to entertain their new houseguests... forever it seems. And as the story intensifies, Creep L.A. takes on the progression of a haunted house maze, complete with startle scare moments mixed in with theatrics and drama, building and swirling and rising to a rousing crescendo at the climax of the show.

The whole production leaves guests almost breathless by the time they escape the Ghost Light--and in the best of ways. Thoroughly enthralling, vivaciously exciting, and packed with an incredible amount of beauty and detail, Creep L.A. leaves attendees wishing they really could stay in the "Hollow House" forever. It's a blending of haunted theater and haunted house in their pinnacle of forms, and it channels a mystery that is resolved in a most exhilarating way.

Creep L.A. plunges guests into a dark and sordid noir-like mystery that transforms itself into a relentless pursuit of abject horror, and it will leave guests shaken but begging for more. I was fortunate enough to be invited to this past weekend's previews, but I'm already counting down the days until I can experience the show again under tickets that I purchased when Creep L.A. went on sale. There are still a small amount of tickets left for mid- and late October, but they are very limited and mostly isolated single slots. I highly recommend grabbing what's left, though. Not only is Creep L.A. atop the list of best immersive haunts this year, it's one of the best haunts period in Southern California's bountiful 2021 Halloween season!

One other note. Anyone who is attending Creep L.A. this season should be very aware of the venue's COVID-19 policy. All entrants into the Three Clubs and the Ghost Light must show proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the show. Know that the staff is strictly enforcing this by checking documents against identification. From the web site:

COVID-19 VACCINATIONS & MASKS REQUIRED

The Ghost Light asks our audiences to join with us in providing the safest space possible for patrons, cast, crew, and staff. Our COVID-19 policy requires ticketholders to wear masks and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

To enter the theatre, please bring a photo ID and proof of vaccination, either your physical vaccination card, a picture of your vaccination card, or a digital vaccination record.

All California residents may request a digital vaccination record at MyVaccineRecord.cdph.ca.gov.

Those who need a reasonable accommodation for medical reasons or due to a sincerely held religious belief must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to entering the theatre.

Masks are required for all ticketholders, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking in designated areas.

While the venue is working closely with medical and public health experts—and taking measures to enhance the safety of its visitors, artists, and staff—an inherent risk of contracting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases exists in any public space.

We appreciate JFI Production's commitment to ensuring as safe of an environment as possible. All of the actors in Creep L.A. have also been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and an overwhelming majority wear masks throughout the experience. And while any guest certainly has the option to choose to not attend this event if they disagree with the policy, we want to make sure that anyone planning on going is aware of the policy and is prepared to abide by it. The last thing anyone wants is to be taken by surprise and be unable to produce proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and be denied entry. But to the degree that JFI Production is handling COVID protocols, we applaud them for their attention and their earnest efforts to make things as safe as possible and ensure that guests can be comfortably relaxed instead of anxiously worrying about what exposure to COVID they be allowing themselves.

Congratulations are well in line for Justin Fix and his extensive cast and crew at Creep L.A. This team of veterans not only hasn't missed a beat despite the challenges of the pandemic, they've excelled even further to deliver what I think is the best Creep yet. And I feel confident in this despite having only experienced half of the Creeps that JFI Productions has put out over the years. Creep L.A. really is that good, and we can't wait to see what's next at the Ghost Light!