“The Devil is a Lie”: A Devilishly Good Show From Quantum Theatre
By Olivia Miller
A cocktail party and gender reveal put on by an overlooked assistant. An ambitious DJ with an all too familiar moniker. An arrogant CEO who must hold up to his end of a devilish bargain. What could possibly go wrong? The short answer: everything.
Quantum Theatre explores all of the above plus much more in their newest show, “The Devil is a Lie.” Written by Jennifer Chang and directed by Kyle Haden, the show details the story of George Fast, CEO of data analytics company Voltaire, celebrating the company’s best quarter yet with the company’s investors, which are played by the audience. The cocktail party turned gender reveal party goes swimmingly until Lucy, Fast’s assistant, reminds him of a deal he made nearly 25 years ago with the devil in exchange for his soul. Between a snake bite and a fight for Dogg the DJ’s soul, the show devolves into chaos and the audience is left questioning the true cost of success. Below its hilarious jokes, quippy monologues, and interactive polls, the show explores themes of greed, success, truth, and humanity. By the end of the show, the audience is forced to reflect on the ramifications of their own everyday life choices and judgements. As Quantum Theatre founder Karla Boos says, “The Devil is here to collect.”
Quantum Theatre has taken audience engagement to the next level by completely immersing them in the role of an investor. The performance starts right when patrons enter the room and are treated to cocktails and snacks as they mingle not only with each other but also with the actors perusing the room, looking to impress their investors. When the show formally starts, the audience has the opportunity to directly play a part in the plot of the play. With a quick scan of a QR code, they can take part in live surveys and interactive polls that determine the outcome of the characters and Voltaire as a company.
Nearly as impressive as the plot and theatrics of the show is the show’s set at the Tenant Innovation Center in the Frick Building. As the audience ascends the marble stairs from the lobby, they are immersed in a nightclub-esque atmosphere with booming pop music and purple uplighting. Henry Clay Frick’s golden personal elevator is decked out in orange neon lights forming the logo of the Voltaire company, a perfect photo-opportunity for the audience. The DJ booth at the front of the stage is state-of-the-art with bright blocks of color and two large screens broadcasting the results of the polls. The main stage is an elevated platform in the center of the room, but most of the performance is done in the aisles in between the rows of seating. The actors performing less than a foot in front of the audience makes for a unique theatre experience unlike any other.
To experience the devilish disruption for yourself, “The Devil is a Lie” runs from now until April 30th with shows every day from Tuesday to Saturday. There are 5:30 pm shows on Sundays and Tuesdays, which are perfect for commuters looking for a unique way to unwind after a stressful workday. For more information, you can visit their website at quantumtheatre.com or buy tickets here. If you have any questions, you can call the box office at 412-362-1713. To keep up with all things Quantum, you can follow them at @quantumtheatre on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
