This is the most technically outrageous thing on Broadway right now - people levitate, a house catches fire, faces distort in ways that draw audible reactions from an entire orchestra section. It also functions as a real prequel rather than a merchandising exercise, giving Henry Creel an origin the series only sketched. If you want to see stagecraft that would be impossible on a screen, this is the ticket, and the Marquis is big enough that afternoon seats are gettable.
What to expect
The Marquis sits inside the Marriott, so entry is via escalators from the Broadway lobby. The show runs long, in two acts, with sustained darkness, strobe effects, loud sound design and moments engineered to startle. The 1959 Hawkins design work is worth arriving early to take in.
Good to know
- The Marquis entrance is inside the Marriott Marquis on Broadway at 46th Street
- Heavy strobe, haze and loud sudden sound - not for light or noise sensitivity
- Runs close to three hours with an intermission
- You do not need to have watched the series, though it rewards fans
- Recommended for teens and up; genuinely frightening in places
- Escalator access from the street level means it handles mobility needs well
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Common questions
Do I need to know the show?
No. It is a self-contained prequel, though viewers of the series will catch more of the character references.
How scary is it?
It is built to startle, with darkness, loud effects and horror imagery. Most audiences find it intense rather than gory.
How long does it run?
Roughly three hours including one intermission.
