LOS ANGELES, CA- As someone who has always loved musical theater and traditional stage productions, I thought I knew what to expect from a night out at the theater. I was wrong. JFI Productions’ The Willows is unlike anything I have ever experienced, a production that doesn’t just play out in front of you. It surrounds you, absorbs you, and asks you to participate in its unfolding mystery.
From the moment you arrive at the Beckett Mansion, the historic estate that serves as the venue, the rules of the evening are clear: go where you are led, and do what you are told. It’s a deceptively simple directive that quickly proves to be a gateway into something richer, stranger, and more thrilling than I could have anticipated.
Behind the vine-covered gates of the Beckett Mansion, the outside world slips away. The property itself, a Colonial Revival masterpiece designed by John C. Austin (the architect behind Griffith Observatory and Los Angeles City Hall) sets the perfect stage. With its stately façade and century-old detailing, the mansion feels both timeless and otherworldly, as though you’ve stepped into another era.
Inside, you encounter the Willows family. Each character has their own backstory, their own arc, and depending on the twists of your evening, you may follow one path only to find yourself abruptly rerouted into another. It’s been said there are at least seven different storylines woven throughout the show, which makes each visit unique. You could attend multiple performances and never have the same experience twice.
This sense of unpredictability is what makes The Willows so addictive. One moment you’re in conversation with a character, the next you’re being drawn into another room, another mystery, another perspective. It requires a willingness to play along, to ask questions, and to fully embrace the role of participant rather than passive audience member.
A huge part of what makes the evening so compelling is the cast itself. The actors are so deeply committed to their roles that even when you ask an offhand question, their answers come back with complete conviction and realism.
They never break character. The professionalism and passion with which they embody their parts elevates the production, ensuring that every interaction feels as authentic as live theater can be. It’s this dedication that makes you forget you’re in a performance at all. Truth be told, there was one particular instance in the evening where I couldn’t help but nervously laugh as what I was being asked to do in a circumstance and setting was quite unsettling. It truly felt like I had been invited into someone else’s living, breathing world… and my breath was short.
While The Willows is not dinner theater. Snacks and drinks are served, but don’t expect a full meal. It is theater that rewards appetite. The mansion itself is richly decorated, every corner and corridor hiding details that reveal clues about the characters and their intertwined stories. Some elements are obvious, but others are subtle, waiting for an attentive eye. Paying close attention enriches the evening, giving you breadcrumbs to follow as the plot thickens.
It’s worth emphasizing that this isn’t an experience for those who prefer to sit back quietly in the dark. The more you involve yourself, the more rewarding the production becomes. The show thrives on curiosity and participation, and if you enter with an open mind and a sense of play, I’m fairly certain that you’ll leave the mansions pulsing with adrenaline.
Without spoiling specifics, the finale is nothing short of a sensory overload. Executed with a mysterious flair, it’s a culmination that had me literally on the edge of my toes. It’s the kind of climax that lingers long after you’ve stepped back out into the Los Angeles night, a reminder of how theater can be both haunting and electrifying.
Justin Fix, JFI’s Director and Co-Founder, describes the experience best:
“At the end of the day, going to The Willows is like stepping into a modernized murder mystery party. It’s got drama, it’s got scares, and it’s an evening that engages all five senses—a complete night out in Los Angeles, where socializing becomes a shared, intimate experience.”
Although perfectly suited for the Halloween season, The Willows is not confined to being a seasonal thrill. It’s a production that anyone who enjoys theater, mystery, or simply a night of unforgettable entertainment should experience. Whether you’re a fan of haunted houses, interactive games, or finely crafted drama, this show blends it all into a singular event.
For me, the evening was beyond theater… it was a redefinition of what live performance can be. The Willows is one of those rare productions that doesn’t just perform for you; it performs with you. And that is what makes it devilishly fun.
Tickets are on sale at www.jfiproductions.com.
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Step Into The Willows: LA’s Darkest Immersive Theater Experience
