Red Flags

I had only done Capital W’s “Hamlet Mobile” before so I was very excited to attend “Red Flags”. “Red Flags” is an immersive, one on one, piece that puts you on a first date with Emma (played by Lauren Flans). Emma is a cute, nervous girl who has some…issues. One of the strengths of this show is that the “issues” are not over the top, they’re real world. This definitely helps you connect on an emotional level with Emma. As soon as she starts talking, you forget that this was a show that you got a ticket and time for, this was now a first date. What follows is roughly an hour of getting to know your date. You find out some things about her and she finds out some things about you. My date was Emma seemed to be ok. I was enjoying our conversatio... full review

Aside from the very thoughtful and well-crafted hour spent with me, I am amazed that Ms. Flans is committed to doing such strong, challenging work to an audience of one time and time again. Although there were seamless riffs based on our conversation together, it was not apparent that this experience was scripted at time. Despite the humor inherent in the show, I am impressed with the evocation of varied and strong emotional responses that Ms. Flans was successful in coaxing out of me. I'm just impressed with the whole experience. Highly recommended.... full review

I haven’t been on a date in a really long time. So needless to say, I was a bit nervous. Now, I know that this isn’t a real first date, but I believe it’s far more enjoyable to fully give in to the conceit: I’m meeting Emma (Lauren Flans), a woman I met online, and after brief email correspondence (filling out a “profile”) we’re meeting in Hollywood for a date. I don’t want to give too much away, but there are clues in the email dating profile as to what will be discussed, and with this being a one-on-one performance it is sure to be unique for each participant. For me, I went in wanting to make a good impression and to be a “good date.” I tried to be kind and inquisitive. In other words, I played along. As the title suggests, there are “... full review

It's incredibly hard to describe an experience like this without immediately giving away either too much or too little about what actually happens in this situation. That's why people are saying "it's a first date". Because it IS--and it's much more, as well. It's a LARP, and an immersive experience, and a first date and a performance with a narrative structure hidden deep within it. All of that and...and yet.... And yet, I think the experience will be entirely different for every single person who goes on it. I tend to try to find the edges of immersive experiences. Call me inherently contrary, but I tend to throw myself into them 100% and then try to find where they break down. Where the EDGES of the experience lie. And although... full review

A one-one-one show (one actor, one audience member) that is highly interactive and as deeply personal and profound as you allow it to be. Unless you are inhuman, you will leave the show asking questions about yourself and/or life or humanity. What would happen if you did something different, or said something different? How much are you willing to expose to a stranger? What makes Emma, the actor, a bad date? Why are the "Red Flags" red flags? What does that mean about society? I didn't see this as a bad date as much as a sad date. I personally know one person similar to Emma--don't they deserve a chance at true love (whatever that means) as anyone else? ... full review

Red Flags is an intimate journey exploring the worries and fears in dating. It puts two people together and forces them to be present and to share, and may even lead to an unexpected connection on a bad date. This is the beauty of Red Flags: it is unapologetically real and honest. It will make you feel something for Emma; it will push you outside of your comfort zone; and it will leave you inextricably intertwined with someone who was a stranger only hours prior. If you are a fan of interactive theater, want to feel something real, or just yearn for a connection with another person—I urge you to see this show. See review for full thoughts. ... full review