Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sleep No More

For a recovering insomniac, living in the city that never sleeps takes on a different connotation. Maybe it's not the healthiest place to live for someone that used to be addicted to lack of sleep. I'm sure it has its similarities to alcohol and other addictions.  It's fun at times, especially at the beginning.  You get the sillies like when you were a kid, but it's not natural like back then.  Eventually and inevitably it takes its toll and you end up walking down the street talking to yourself.  People whisper, drunk.  But, you say, no, insomniac.  They say, denial stage.  And, I say, I can't debate right now.  I'm 12 steps away from Sleep No More, a play every recovering insomniac should go see.  The New York Times said Sleep No More will "mess with your head as thoroughly as any artificial stimulant."  You can catch me whispering, naturally, out on the street after the show. 

Sleep No More is an off-Broadway play, but bring your walking shoes; it is not your standard sit and watch.  Taking place in Chelsea, warehouses were recreated to make up the McKittrick Hotel, where scenes from Macbeth break out.  Check out the play's website.  

Sleep No More is an experience and one of the few nightlife activities that actually allows you to escape the speed of New York City.  In fact, you may possibly feel like you've escaped the 21st century and awoken in a speakeasy, a la Midnight in Paris.  When you're called to line to enter the hotel, you and the rest of the guests will be handed a white plastic mask, a la Scream.  Rules are given - when in the hotel, keep masks on at all times and no talking.  Oh, and stay out of the actors' way.  Otherwise, get off this elevator and come back to the bar area whenever you want.  Good luck, and the more curious you are, the better the experience.

To go into a lot of detail would ruin the experience for you. I just know, I wasn't the only one whispering when exiting the hotel - - and experience is the word.

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