Rochester, 1996

There is a good story in there somewhere, and it is a shame that it took so damn long to get to it.... full review

This show raised the bar for me. Two days later, I'm still unpacking the feelings, memories, and impressions the show brought to the surface. A complex yet surgically precise depiction of a family whose appearance of peace masks inner turmoil.... full review

Revolving around Reverend Daniel Shoemaker, his wife Emily and his daughter, Philippa, this drama is a beautiful journey through a life-changing day in the life of a single family. Philippa is the person who leads us through this day. Immediately, she hints at growing tension within the family and herself. Questioning her faith and her feelings as she becomes an adult, it is her perspective we see this world through. What unfolds over the course of almost three hours is a glimpse of the family’s past and events that have led them to this day of reckoning. It becomes an emotionally harrowing journey. This show is a deeply moving family drama with a message of self-acceptance at its core. This might turn out to be one the most impressi... full review

An emotionally intense story told by fantastic actors in often uncomfortable settings. This was one of the most interesting ways to use immersion that I've experienced in the last few years. I'm considering making another trip to LA to see it again in September.... full review

Immersive theatre always hangs in the balance between audience intimacy and ground level storytelling. What you experience in "Rochester, 1996" is one of the most transportive works of immersive storytelling that I have yet to witness. To actually sit in an awkward silence as the van rolls through traffic? To be inside the protagonist's head, join the community and then invisibly witness a family dissolving in every room of the house? Through every twist and turn I found myself existing within these stunning stage pictures that were inhabited by beautifully honest and understated moments between our main characters. What Capital W and Drycraeft Los Angeles created with this piece is truly masterful.... full review

Rochester, 1996 is an experience you aren't likely to forget. Lauren Ludwig and Thaddeus Shafer have created a deeply personal meditation on religion, family, and sexual identity. The result is a three-hour long immersive experience that is at times funny, poignant, shocking, and always intriguing. ... full review

One of the most thought-provoking events that I have ever experienced. I can't stop thinking about it and discussing it with my fellow show-goers. This is an immersive show in which the audience really feels that they are living the story with the actors. ... full review

This is show is possibly one of the best shows at Fringe that I have seen so far. Not only I was engaged the entire time but also the level of talent and story was so honest and real. They utilized the space and LA in an incredible way. Aside from amazing performances and directing; the story of the piece is very relevant and will leave you with lots of questions and insights; a must-see theater experience! Well done Rochester, 1996 team and thank you for such a remarkable experience!... full review