On a Monday night in the middle of last February, I traveled to the Chelsea Music Hall to see A Cocktail Party Social Experiment. I did not know at the time that I had only about three weeks of theater left before the pandemic hit New York City hard. I loved the show and the game that was (and is) its beating heart. How exciting then to realize the party is still going. A Social Alchemix (Live!) streams right into your home.
As the limited audience arrives there is some preshow chatting about where people are from and what they are drinking. Brooklyn, Chicago and Portland, Oregon are present. Montreal is drinking an Old Fashioned “with a glass of red wine as a backup.” Some were drinking “bubbles” as they were in their self-controlled dry January. Perhaps most intriguing was the person who typed, “a semi-flooded barrier island ninety miles south of New York.”
The show had not even started and the amusements were well underway. Host and game creator Wil Petre joined with a Gin and Tonic. Why are we gathered here this evening? He offers a question. “In this time of isolation and uncertainty, can we have meaningful conversations?”
The livestream process is similar to the in person game show. Volunteers are randomly selected. They pick two cards which determine the question they will answer. The host and other guests are welcome to converse with the “Guest of Honor” as well. First chosen was Siobhan who introduced me to the concept of vegan lipstick which was applied with a blue stain.
In this case, the matching of question and Guest of Honor was perfect. Mr. Petre read, “What do you think your civic obligations are?” Siobhan is a Democratic Socialist “super involved” in movements such as Occupy Wall Street and the Green Party. She worked for both the Joe Biden and Jon Ossoff campaigns. She “didn’t particularly like them” but her fifty volunteer team did 60,000 calls in support. What else can our host say but “that question was perfect serendipity for you.”
Matt (Rye neat) was chosen next and was joined by his wife Jodi (Margarita). They hail from Westchester County in New York and he identified himself as “far right” politically. That was a delicious contrast with the opening guest. During the conversation he noted Siobhan’s “extreme views” and commented “if you don’t engage you won’t connect to broaden their world view.” Obviously from a much older generation, the host helpfully added “or see their point of view.” This was a clear example of the divides we witness in our country every day.
Jessica followed from the very wet barrier island. (Yay! I needed that mystery solved.) She was consuming “Lambrusco from the local liquor store.” When was the last time you sobbed? A story about her living with her parents and young son in a small house began. She was feeling feeling very isolated and recovering from a very public breakup. After a hot yoga class, the instructor hugged her and she began weeping. It had been only her fifth hug since last March.
In Irvine, California, KJ was “hanging in there.” He was in the emergency room the day before. He was diligent about Covid protocols but may have caught the virus from his less serious roommates. He is a relatively young man and summed it all up this way: “I don’t wish this on my worst enemy. It is that bad.”
The Covid theme continued with Jenn Tequila from Austin. Her journey had her taking a job this year to help set up field hospitals for the poor near the Mexican border. Her storytelling was vivid. Everyday she was “deeply crying” but also “glad that I haven’t lost a part of myself.” Char was the last guest who works as a counselor with students.
This experience was less “party like” than the in person version. Toasts and frivolity were had for sure. There was quite a bit of raw depth on display in these conversations which is certainly indicative of our times. A pandemic and an insurrection can turn the lightest of souls searching for meaning. The streaming version offers something the live show does not. The audiences faces are all on view. There is much more visual feedback for everyone to experience.
The show was a “wow” experience once again. I highly recommend staying afterwards to chat with fellow attendees. It was a cocktail party filled with interesting and thoughtful people. I was awestruck by the positive energy from the younger (and larger) contingent. I don’t recall philosophizing at this level at their age. I left A Cocktail Party Social Experiment invigorated with some new outlooks on life. Join up, find a stranger and listen. As we rollout vaccinations, this is a wonderful entry ramp into reengaging with new human beings.
Social Alchemix (Live!) aka A Cocktail Party Social Experiment is running on January 22, 30 and February 5, 2021 with more dates to follow. A number of people recommeded Everything Immersive for listings of other experiences such as this one.
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