Tethered's Immersive Theatrical Experience Arrives Downtown

Contributed

Erie's original immersive theatrical experience Tethered takes over the historic Maennerchor club for two weekends as they offer the community a new take on how to experience a performance – where attendees interact with the actors, akin to "walking into a movie."

BEGINNING FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

This September, Tethered – Erie's own original, immersive theatrical company – transforms the historic, 30,000-square-foot Erie Maennerchor building into a living maze of memory and meaning. Across four nights, audiences will have the opportunity to explore three full floors as dancers, actors, and musicians bring to life a near-future story about a woman with Alzheimer's, her son, and the experimental technology that allows them to step inside her past.

If you're new to the form, you're not the only one – thankfully, producer John C. Lyons has a way to put it simply.

"Immersive theater surrounds the audience, blurring the lines between performer and spectator," says Lyons. Through conversation about the unique show, it becomes clear that Tethered offers an opportunity to engage with characters and environments rather than simply sitting and observing them. After last year's sold-out debut, this year's production scales up – more rooms, more pathways, and an emphasis on movement through the entire building.

"It feels more like a lived-in, fully-connected space," continues Lyons.

September's Memory & Consciousness production blends dance, theater, music, film, and projection, inviting attendees to follow any of 20 characters as their routes intersect and diverge. The show runs in a one-hour loop, three times each evening with subtle variations. Lyons' inspiration came from experiencing Sleep No More in New York.

"It felt like walking into a movie, and I didn't want to leave," says Lyons. That sense of wonder and uninhibited discovery is the driving force behind Tethered. "There's no right way to view the show," Lyons adds.

Tickets (general admission, talkback afterparty, and VIP options), as well as additional information, are available now at tickets.eriereader.com. Free private parking is located behind the building – guests are strongly encouraged to arrive by 6 p.m. (although it is possible to jump in later) and are asked to enter from the rear as the front doors will be locked.

Presented by Velocity Network, with support from Erie Arts & Culture and community partners, Tethered's latest is poised to be Erie's most ambitious theatrical event of the season.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, 26 and 27 // 6 to 9 p.m. // Erie Maennerchor Building, 1607 State St. // Tickets start at $35 // For info: tickets.eriereader.com