REVIEW: ‘Haunt Quest’ starring Todd Robbins at SoHo Playhouse
Photo: Haunt Quest stars Todd Robbins, a master of the macabre. Photo courtesy of Jeff Kellogg / Provided by SoHo Playhouse with permission.
NEW YORK — Todd Robbins is a master of the macabre in just about everything he does, whether it’s on stage, on television or, perhaps even, on the sidewalk as he traipses around New York City. The man oozes mystery and sophisticated ghostliness — a performer who puts the “super” in supernatural.
This reviewer has been a longtime fan, having seen him in off-Broadway’s Play Dead a few years ago, plus his magical hosting of Speakeasy Magick at the McKittrick Hotel. He also appeared on TV in the aptly titled True Nightmares. The common denominator for each of these performative experiences was Robbins’ wry humor, measured retelling of a scary tale and a three-piece suit that kills as much as the spirits in the air.
The illusionist-performer-host-with-the-most has a new project called Haunt Quest, now playing an extended run at the SoHo Playhouse in Downtown Manhattan. The one-man show was one of the first theatrical ventures to open in New York City amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was met with a fervent audience reaction. People are hungry for live theater again, and Haunt Quest is a welcome re-introduction to the performing arts.
At the SoHo Playhouse, the mood is amiable as one enters the historic theater. Patrons show their vaccination cards at the box-office window, which means any fears for the evening are only of the paranormal kind. Theatergoers ascend the staircase to the loft space and take one of the socially distanced chairs in the spartan surroundings. There are candles to set the mood, some of Robbins’ curios hanging about, a spiral staircase that is perfectly situated and … well, beverages for sale.
As everyone settles in, Robbins makes the rounds. He introduces himself to each and every audience member, reading off their name tag and asking them about their supernatural past. It’s a friendly introduction that puts wayward minds at ease. He doesn’t seem too devilish, and Haunt Quest doesn’t seem like it’s going to turn into some type of black Mass or horror show of shrieks and scares. This is sophisticated ghost hunting; a martini glass wouldn’t seem out of place in the host’s hands. Think Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit for inspiration.
What transpires over the next 75 minutes is best kept a secret, but here are a few pointers. The proceedings change on a nightly basis because there is a great deal of audience interaction. Robbins is a gracious host, and consent matters to him. He always lets the crowd know what they can expect. If he touches someone’s shoulder, he asks permission first. If someone would rather not be a volunteer, no sweat at all.
On the evening this reviewer saw the show, the audience members were enjoying themselves and willing to participate. Robbins led them on a journey to better understand their surroundings, both physically and spectrally. He shares historical tales of the ghosts that purportedly haunt the SoHo Playhouse (ticket buyers can also pay to stay at the Playhouse overnight, if they dare), and he even amazes with a numbers game.
For some skeptics, the experiential quality of the evening may not work as well, but for the converted and those willing to have some fun, the theatrical performance is engaging and exciting, sometimes bleeding over into intense. At one point, a volunteer had to get up and leave the stage area; she decided the séance was too strong for her liking, and she went back to her original seat. In inimitable fashion, Robbins checked on her, asked how she was doing and supported her decision to break the trance.
Haunt Quest is a marvelous trip into the mind of Todd Robbins, a sideshow-like entertainer who is one of the best performers on the New York theater scene. He has a pitch-perfect line delivery, a welcoming attitude, a sly smile, and a desire to share his love for the odd and unsettling. This is a journey audience members will likely enjoy — if they are into this kind of thing. The macabre is not for everyone, and Robbins knows that, but for those willing to see what transpires, Haunt Quest delivers the ghostly goods.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Haunt Quest, starring Todd Robbins, continues at the SoHo Playhouse through July 31. Click here for more information and tickets.
