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Within this constructed environment, my role constantly shifts between audience member and improviser. That blurring of identities is, what I believe, Closing Time’s most effective trick of immersion

Comprised of folks who have incredibly interesting backgrounds from the cast to those behind the scenes, their productions are guaranteed to be supremely spellbinding. Even when faced with a sweaty sprint from West General Robinson Street Garage on the North Shore to Liberty Avenue in under 10 minutes, as someone who detests running, outside the scope of playing with my dog, I accepted the challenge because I knew they have something special in store.

Vigilance Theater Group brings us "Closing Time at the Moonside Cafe" which is a blend of theater, music, and a little bit of mystery.

A crisp night, under a full moon, in the woods, listening to ghost stories around a blazing campfire is the perfect way to unwind, forget about everyday stresses, and appreciate the simple things in life. Do yourself a favor and take the time to smell the campfire. Join the other happy campers at Camp Moonside for a much-deserved restorative interlude.

Undoubtedly, your own personal history with summer camps will color this introduction to Camp Moonside; whether you were an eager participant in the unreality of the camp experience or a nervous wallflower reluctantly being whisked from makeshift station to makeshift station during camp orientation, the first twenty minutes or so of Campfire Stories may prove to be the scariest part. 

And here, Brooke Echnat‘s mise en scène was, in my view, very successful, since there is an extended temporality for this prologue moment, truly functioning as a make-believe game, a passage, an invitation: now you will be the campers. Ok!

The urban legend is based on a real person that lived in the Western Pennsylvania region.

Director Brooke Echnat and performers Sydney DuBose and Bradleigh Bell join the show to give a sneak peek.

Unlike a typical reimaging of MacBeth, this cast plays two parts simultaneously, a testament to their skills onstage. Dynamic physicality and incredible delivery of difficult dialogue are behind every stellar performance.

Mac Beth is the refreshing take on Shakespeare you didn’t know you needed. As a “Brat” flag triumphantly flies near the end of the play, it becomes clear that Vigilance Theater’s Mac Beth is the kickoff to Brat Summer 2.0.

Without spoiling the brilliance of it I will only say that it is somehow more devastating, more shocking, and a sharper lens through which darkness, chaos, and conflict thrive. “Double double toil and trouble” is much, much scarier when a group of schoolgirls are taunting you, even if you are a king.

Shakespeare is stepping into the 21st century. We got to meet the stars of an outdoor, modern version of "Mac Beth!"

“They’re really bringing energy, enthusiasm and a lot of humor,” Collier said of the cast. “It’s Macbeth, you know how it’s going to end, but the road to get there over the course of the 90 minutes is often very funny … in areas where there is a place for genuine humor.”

Vigilance continues to push the envelope with their unique immersive experiences. Whether they’re presenting an original work or interpreting someone else’s, their influence is impossible to ignore. Doing what most other companies can’t or won’t do puts them in an incredible position to bring unparalleled productions to the Pittsburgh area.

Vigilance Theater Group reimagines Sarah Kane’s final work in its latest production

The cast presents the final torment of Sarah Kane with heart, compassion and spectacle. Our intention is to celebrate life while honoring the gifts left to us by those who have gone before.

Over weeks of rehearsal, the eight-person cast dedicated itself to creating shared history and character dynamics that would reflect the depth of real-life family relationships.

As the night went on it became clear that there was something about this family ... if you ever wanted to be a part of a supernatural murder mystery with professional actors then this is the production for you.

Regardless, it’s best you come prepared because “Hide,” the new play produced by Vigilance Theater Group (https://www.vigilancetheater.com/) completely immerses its audience in its supernatural world.

And as someone who shies from horror, particularly the gory stuff, I was unfazed that the experience has a claw in that realm yet leans more into the spooky, the mysterious and the sensual.