I’ve been dying to see Speakeasy Dollhouse, an immersive play enacted by my friend Cynthia Von Buhler. Guests are encouraged to dress up, mingle with the actors, and try to unravel the 1920s murder mystery of her grandfather.

Jenny Knifefight and I met at Spano’s Bakery in the Lower East Side.

I’m wearing accessories gifted by Kreepsville666, Yosuke shoes from Marui One Tokyo, and a dress I got years ago in NYC. (Remember I also wore it at Luisaviaroma’s Pink Carpet party in Florence, Italy?)

We whispered the secret password to the policemen, and met Frank Spano and his gun-wielding wife.

The instructions urged us to “be nosy and talk to strangers. Wander. If you sit in one place, you will miss everything.”

A card game in the bakery. At times, it was hard to distinguish between actors and guests.

Bartenders served whiskey in coffee cups, and flappers did the Charleston to live music.

Countess Cynthia in green, and legendary playright Edgar Oliver (he’s a character in the play). Perhaps you recognize him from the Oddities: “Is that a straightjacket?” I recently filmed with the Discovery TV show; it should air this fall!

In one room, we participated in an autopsy. In others, we witnessed scenes of fighting, birth, and murder.

Like in a mystery novel, we gathered clues and tried to unravel the puzzle.

From the lush rooms to the seedy characters, it was a beautiful recreation of speakeasy times.

I can’t reveal all the secrets. You’ll have to attend Speakeasy Dollhouse for yourself. The play runs through December; tickets via the website.

Are you intrigued by Jazz Age culture? Have you ever attended a performance where you take part in the action?