Are You Dying to Check Out "The Death of Rasputin" Off-Broadway? You should be...

I attended a stormy evening performance of "The Death of Rasputin" this week. Here's what you need to know about the new immersive theatre experience where "war, scandal, and the occult collide..."

It may seem odd to want to hop on a ferry to Governor’s Island on a stormy Saturday night, but as I stood in an eager crowd of people dressed all in black, it was clear we weren’t going for a picnic.

The Death of Rasputin is a brand new immersive theatre experience housed in an arts space on Governor’s Island. The production company Artemis Is Burning describes the show as not just immersive theatre, but “a revolution” - which is appropriate, considering the show takes place in 1916 Petrograd where “Romanovs cling to power, revolution brews, and Rasputin ensnares the hearts of the desperate.” You’re invited to “befriend revolutionaries”, “scavenge the palace,” and discover where your “allegiance” will lie.

I feel shows like this are best enjoyed with as little pre-existing knowledge as possible, so if you have plans to see it I will give you a warning below for when to stop reading! I’ll start with details that are provided on the show’s website. But a simple spoiler-free review: I really liked it. I found the storyline to be enticing and the space was lavish and fun to explore. I absolutely would go back. And I think this is a great option for those who haven’t experienced immersive theatre before.

BASIC INFO

First and foremost, don’t forget the dress code! You definitely will feel out of place if you don’t dress in dark colors or don’t “leave modern casualwear behind.” Sensible shoes are also a good idea, though you won’t be on your feet for an extremely long time since the show is only ~90 minutes. Passage on the ferry is included with your ticket, but make sure you take the ferry at the specified time (7:15PM for the night show and 1:30PM for the matinee). If you bring a bag you will have to coat check it, though your phone can stay on you if you prefer (stickers are provided to cover the camera lens). In terms of accessibility, an elevator is available to move between floors, and there are seating options in every room. There is one passageway in the space I feel would not be possible in a wheelchair, but there is an alternate way to access that room. The crowd was very manageable and I never felt like I was being pushed/shoved or rushed past.

Tickets are currently priced at $148, and student tickets are available for $49. There have been a few promo codes, so keep an eye on their Instagram for any announcements. The show is currently set to close May 11th, though I hope they are able to extend.

That’s it for basic info! STOP HERE to avoid spoilers if you would like to go see the show. Below I will get into logistics, show details, and my own experience.

LOGISTICS

Grabbing the ferry was very easy, just show your ticket confirmation to the attendee and stand with everyone else dressed in black! The ride to the island is quick, only 10 minutes if that. My trip was especially moody and a bit choppy due to the rain, so maybe bring some motion sickness medication if boats bother you.

When we arrived on Governor’s Island we were brought into Building 110, the Arts Center located right by the ferry entrance. A long line formed in the lobby, and as I was waiting one of the attendants asked if I had anything to check - I didn’t - so she invited me to enter upstairs. There was still a coat check upstairs anyway. This is one of the first crowd management tricks I noticed: some people start upstairs, and some start below. It’s seemingly random where you start out.

There’s a bar to grab a drink while you wait for the show to begin. Phones are allowed while you wait, though you’re supposed to cover the camera lens with a sticker. I wish phones were banned entirely, since watching someone scroll Reddit or take a selfie in 20th century Russia killed the mood a bit. As we waited I noticed an attendant wandering around giving stamps to six people. When the show began, those gifted a stamp were invited to enter one of the rooms early, whereas everyone else stayed behind.

The audience is not masked for the show, but it was pretty easy to tell who was an actor since the actors were the only ones speaking. Being able to see the facial expressions of other audience members was sometimes an enhancement and other times a distraction - I’ve enjoyed other immersive shows where you wear a mask since your experience of a scene is strictly individual and uninfluenced.

SHOW EXECUTION

In terms of the set, it felt lavish, detailed, and extensive! This is an achievement considering the small space they had to work with. From what I gathered, there were two floors and more than a dozen rooms. The lighting was beautiful, and the space piqued my curiosity - there was a lot to poke around at and explore even without an actor present. I had several moments where I gasped with delight (which I admit doesn’t take much for me, but still).

There are 10 actors in the cast, and I spent most of my time with Rasputin, Felix, Lohktina, and Petra. The fact that all the actors are constantly talking, screaming, singing, etc. provides very interesting sound bleed throughout the space - while in one room you can hear some action from afar, and choose to go investigate it. There even would be conversations overlapping from within the same room, which added to the tension of the piece. The time flew by as I moved between storylines.

The tone of the show was surprisingly… satirical? It was way funnier than I thought it would be, considering most other immersive theatre shows I’ve been to are movement-based and inherently a bit more stoic. As an audience member you are often perceived, and might be asked a question like “do I look ok?,” “can you believe this?,” “I’m fun, right?,” etc. Without spoiling with too many details, I had an interesting group interaction with Petra where I was gifted a couple keepsakes, I watched a group take part in a cult ritual with Rasputin, and I saw Lohktina bring an audience member into a room for a private experience - so there certainly are plenty of opportunities for memorable interactions. I even had a chance to practice my waltzing skills…

The action culminates in the ballroom - I assume anyway, though it’s possible this is just one ending I witnessed and there are alternates happening elsewhere in the space - and the song everyone had been waiting for played for bows. You are allowed to hang out in the bar after the show to buy merchandise, snacks, and drinks. The last ferry off the island is at 10:30PM.

Overall I had a blast and very much enjoyed The Death of Rasputin! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique theatre experience. I felt like I saw a full and cohesive story, while at the same time I would still return to explore other plots/characters. The creative team has successfully crafted a story that is compelling, personal, dynamic, and rich. If you’ve read this far it means you didn’t have plans to see the show (or didn’t care about spoilers), but I hope I’ve changed your mind and you check it out!

The Death of Rasputin is currently set to run through May 11th, 2025. Grab tickets on their website here.