Bottom Of The Ocean

Short version to start: Go. Just go. If you can get a ticket, go.

Longer version: I'm a fan of and longtime audience member for all different types of immersive theatre experiences, but BOTO stood out for me as a cut above, as it offers such a personal, emotional, affecting experience.

Unlike SLEEP NO MORE (which is the grandfather of modern immersive and I adore and visit regularly), BOTO isn't a sandbox environment. You're guided through it, and it is not just immersive but interactive in nature. Questions are asked, answers given, songs sung --

But it's not *performative* in any way. Nobody's going to make you be in a play or go up on a stage. In fact, if you go as a solo (there are currently only 5 "audience" members per show, made up of 2 groups of 2, and one solo), you won't interact or really be seen by anybody other than yourself and the three performers. So if you're shy/introspective, and don't like to put yourself out there in that sense, it's not really a concern here.

They're also very upfront and very specific about consent -- both before the show and, once established, during. The contact is extremely light, but if you're uncomfortable with that, they will simply hover.

I do think you get out of BOTO what you put into it. There's beautiful costume design and music and production design, and the space itself in the converted basement of a church in Bushwick is fascinating (and at one point plays into the narrative) -- but this is all about the inner journey.

Any more and I'd end up spoiling things. I'm not saying BOTO is for everyone, but I think everyone could learn from it, if they're ready and open to do so.

The less you know going into this, the better. Expect participation, song, dimly lit rooms that are full of possibility, and a journey that left me in awe of the power of imagination and reflection. It's fun to be in an experience where you never know what's around the corner. All your senses are activated because everything is unknown, and that's exciting, unnerving, and fulfilling!

I wasn't too crazy about. It's something to do. Not worth the ticket price for sure. It is more so worth 50 $.

Absolutely worth the trip.

I have to admit - I was resistant to come here at first. The show was recommended to me by a friend who had been to a show in the past done by the same collective and highly recommended them. We went online to try to purchase two tickets to the same event. I bought my ticket, and after that, they were sold out, meaning I would have to go alone. I should mention that the show is designed for you to go through alone, but I am really NOT the type of person to do things by myself.

I also have to admit that, I left with a completely different energy than when I walked in. I arrived anxious and somewhat cynical, and left completely calm and transformed. This was directly a result of the amazing experience the collective put on.

The performers walk you through about 8 different rooms, depending on the ticket you bought. I would say it was a combination performance and meditation involving several senses - sight, sound, touch, and scent. At a few points throughout, they incorporated some of my favorite scents - palo santo, eucalyptus oil, and clove.

It's also an interactive performance, and the more vulnerable you allow yourself to be, the more you get out of it. They force you to go deep (no pun intended) at times, but it's worth it. You can also joke with the performers and feed off each other's energy - as I did nervously a few times. I hate picking favorites, as they were all amazing, but I really enjoyed the girl's performance. You could tell she really cares about her craft. I hope she fulfills whatever dreams she has for herself in this industry.

It's worth mentioning that the artistic and performative aspects of the show are really cool too, as the other reviewers have mentioned. I just wanted to add a bit of a different perspective. I was not excited about it at first, but after doing so accidentally, I would definitely recommend going through this experience alone. :)

Pro tip - make sure you follow the instructions in the email TO A T to find this place. I had no issues, but they write extremely clear instructions, and so long as you follow them correctly, you will find it. Just look for the electric wave sign out front and the stairs leading to the basement. ;)

I have never before experienced immersive theater before BOTO (pronounced, as the ticket informs you, 'Boh-toh' and not baw-tow, bowtow, or any linguistic aberration you may have invented in your mind). The only comparison I had was an escape room, or else a Halloween-time 'haunted' house in cornfields. Somewhere during the two hours, in the middle of completing the rituals, I found myself, out of habit, hoping to escape. Wasn't that the goal? To do things frantically, get in so that I could get out?

As I journeyed on, I knew that wasn't the point. There were no puzzles to solve, not even a wrong move to be made during any of the rituals. I had to be there, fully present, absorbing, learning, sensing. A refreshing mode of being.

In the cagey tradition of other reviewers on Yelp and elsewhere, I will not reveal the rituals out of a fear of spoilers. Sometimes, you just have to plunge into the unknown to decide if you like it or not. Moreover, this underwater journey is built on a foundation of caring and other warm feelings, not chills and jumpscares endemic to other art of this genre.

Still, I will highlight some inadvertent horror references. At one point, asked to face the wall, I was certain I had entered the Griggs house. At another point, I saw a miniature model in one room foreshadowing what would happen in another room at a much later time, like something out of an Ari Aster film. A dinner table and it's imperious occupant reminded me of The Pale Man. A gathering around an illuminated object reminded me of the joyful pagan ending to The VVitch.

Overall, I came out feeling tender-hearted, chilly, and thankful. Whenever I catch a whiff of palo santo, I think of the strange dream I once participated in on a Sunday afternoon.

I got there first and I saw a simple light to a sketchy entrance. I lightly knocked and no one answered. I was going to take the L and leave, until I saw someone also looking hesitant. We proceeded in.

Twice I muttered: I will not die like this! upon entering the different rooms

The guys, running the whole thing were gracious hosts, performers, therapists, humans, etc..

I highly recommend, nothing will prepare you for what you will experience. Each experience is individual to the person.

A truly unforgettable experience unlike anything I've ever gone through or seen before. The team behind BOTO are masters at creating incredibly special immersive shows and performances with beautiful detail and artistic vision, and I was lucky enough to attend one of their walkthroughs.

It is essentially an adventure that will activate and interact with all of your senses in the most unique and surprisingly delightful ways - sound, smell, touch, sight, (even taste!), it's a full-on undertaking.

If you're looking to try something new and completely unlike anything else out there, definitely try to get your hands on a ticket. Without giving too much away, you will be taken on an exciting, dreamy, and powerful journey! I highly recommend.

Upon reflecting on my visit, I liken my time spent in the catacombs that is the venue that houses Bottom of the Ocean, as womb like.
I was made to recall seldom thought about fond memories, to face and process past traumas, and sung to about my mother.
As an avid immersive theatre goer, I can attest, as much as boto taps into the participants persona, I never felt anxious, overwhelmed or put on the spot as these things may sometimes do.
Know that, when you descend into this space, you are safe, cradled by a caring meticulous, conscientious curator.
Andrew Hopfner (creator) is an earth angel

This was an amazing immersive experience where you are taken through a series of rituals and sensory experiences that are cleansing, that make you think, dream, and imagine. To say more would be to give spoilers. This is really inspirational and makes me consider the importance of ritual in day-to-day life. Please try this if you are open to new experiences and love to dream and be in touch with your inner world.

BOTO was just an incredible experience. I've lived in NYC for 18 years and have seen a lot of experimental theater and it was by far one of the best things I've ever seen. The story, acting, art direction, costumes, lighting, music and singing were just exceptional.

The show made me glad to live in NYC where passionate artists are creating things like this. Skip Sleep No More and check this out. You won't regret it.