My instructions were simple: Sunday. San Diego’s Little Italy. noon. Go to State and Fir. Look for the eyeball. Wait there. You will be approached by a man who will give you directions. Follow his instructions… wear walking shoes!
That’s pretty much all I knew about this ‘play’ I was going to see with my friend and writing pal, Christine Ashworth. Had I done a little bit of homework, I would’ve known thatย Accompliceย “Offers a completely unique theatrical experience, unlike any found on any stage, taking its audience on an adventure through the city streets. Youโll be sent on a mission, aided by clues and mysterious cast members strewn throughout various locations such as street corners, bars and out-of-the-way spots.”
Um, yeah, that would’ve been great to know beforehand, but really I’m glad I went in not knowing what to expect. I mean, THIS was our stage:
Pretty cool, right? After getting our instructions, we set off on our adventure. It took us a few minutes to figure out the clues, but once we did, we rocked it.
Part of the fun were the businesses that got involved in the play. They had clues for us, but we had certain tasks to complete first. Sort of like on The Amazing Race, but without all the stress or other competitors chasing after us. Plus, we got food and wine. Sweet!
We dashed around San Diego’s Little Italy and I saw parts of my city that I’ve never seen before. We’d duck into shops and around corners discovering new things. The pub we went to in the pic above I’ll definitely return to for lunch or dinner, as well as the final restaurant. The play was as much a love letter to San Diego as it was an adventure, which I absolutely adore.
Another great thing about this play? Whatever food or beverages you consumed, you totally worked off running up and down the streets! We must’ve walked five miles. Okay, maybe just two, but still. It was a hot day and damn, my glutes were burning after some of those inclines.
When the play ended, I was a little sad. I was having so much fun, I didn’t want it to be over! By then, I was fully invested not only in the story, but the characters were so charming I loved hanging out with each of them and wanted to meet more. But alas, all good things must come to an end. Afterward, Christine and I hung out to watch other groups come through. Watching them and their reaction to the end of the play was almost as much fun as when we experienced it ourselves.
Our partners in crime also stayed with us for a bite to eat and we ended up talking about books. Turns out, Jeff, Holly, and Tiny are avid readers! Tom (Christine’s husband and one of the actors in the play) was able to join us between groups. He’s not pictured to keep his identity a secret. ๐ It was a delightful afternoon spent chatting with friends about words. Bliss.
Obviously, not all of you live near San Diego, but if you do ~ go see Accomplice! It’s fun, quirky, and a good time. There are other cities that do this sort of thing, so check it out and see if you live near a town that does. Or, get together with some friends and make up your own play for a summer treat. Okay, maybe that was just crazy talk, but I loved this experience that much. I can’t thank my friend Christine enough for taking me. Without her, I probably never would have done something so unusual, but now, I’m going to look for more wacky adventures like this one.
Accomplice: San Diego is produced by the La Jolla Playhouse, to learn more about this amazing theater and the play, check out the website here.
What are you doing this weekend? Got any wacky, quirky, adventurous plans? Have you ever seen a play like this? What’s the strangest play you’ve ever seen? Share with us in the comments! We’d love to know.
That sounds like so much fun! I’d love to do that in Charleston some time – with all the cool history here I bet someone could make a really cool interactive play like that. If I ever make it to San Diego I’ll have to go see Accomplice ๐
It was such a great time. I hope you can find something like this close to you. I hope you can make it out here sometime and that the play is still going on, but mostly, I hope you get to come out west! I’d love to finally meet you!
What a fun way to see a play! I would love doing something like this. And the instructions you got in the beginning are awesome! “Look for the eyeball.” LOL
I know! Look for the eyeball. I was like, Okaaaaaay. But when I saw Christine standing there, I just started laughing. How can you NOT see that thing?
What a great idea and concept! Great pictures too!
Thank you, Darling! It was so much fun.
Oh wow! I would so LOVE to experience this! I wonder if there is anything similar around DC. What a fun way to have a little adventure.
I bet there is, you should find out. This would be right up your alley. I still think it would be a fun thing to put together with some friends, too. Kind of like a murder/mystery treasure hunt like we did when we were kids. Well, we didn’t really have the murder part in there, but the search for clues part.
Terrific write up, gal! I am SO glad you went with me – we had so much fun! I know they did this play in San Francisco and New York and Hollywood – not sure where it’s going next. As for me, this weekend it’s nose-to-the-book-grindstone for me. Hugs honey!
Thank you! I am so glad I went, too. I was a great experience! The Hollywood one sounds like a gas. Now I want to do/see more! Hope your weekend was super productive and your nose isn’t too sore. ๐
I really want to steal the giant eyeball and take it for a world tour, snapping photos of it in front of the Acropolis and Dodgers Stadium.
Just me?
I bet it weighs a ton. It’s solid concrete! That would be fun, though. What’s that? Oh, it’s just my giant eyeball on tour. Love it! I think you need to find some way to make this happen.
No, it’s not just you. I’m now thoroughly in love with the idea and contemplating how we can get the eyeball to your house.
In Salem, MA they do a witch hunt/trial skit that starts in the streets, using audience participation and then heads toward the courthouse. Interesting, but also creepy because of the topic. I like the sounds of your play though!
Oooh, that would be spooky/cool. I think I’d like to see that once. My friend Kate Wood is writing a book around the time of the Salam witch trials, she’d probably love to see that ~ I need to tell her about the hunt/trial. I think our play was much more comical and lighthearted.
What fun! This is true theatre! I want to do it too … send them to Toronto …
I would love to send them to Toronto! And I could go along as a stage hand or something. That would be a riot. You should see if there is anything like this in your town. I wouldn’t have known about it if Christine didn’t take me… but now I’m going to be more explorative in my entertainment.
I saw “Tony & Tina’s Wedding” and had a great time, dancing with the wedding party, but this sounds like just as much fun. ๐
I’ve heard that is a super fun play, but I never went. I think the next time it’s in town I’ll go. This was a lot of fun. Highly recommended!
Tameri it sounds as though you had a great time. Another fun weekend is to take in is a ‘Mystery Get Away’ wherein you check into a nice old victorian made into a bed and breakfast or equivalent establishment. We used to do them a couple times a year in the gold country when we lived in California and there used to be some around the wine country. They were always a great deal of fun and you never knew if you were sleeping with the enemy!
Oh, that sounds like a great get away. So, the whole weekend is like a play? That would be exciting! I’m going to look into it and surprise my husband. Thanks for the tip, Sheri!
Tareri – I gave my husband a couple of them as gifts and both times he was surprised. They are such terrific fun. I bet there are some held in or near San Diego. The ones in the gold country were complete with ghosts of decades pasts and all the thrills. We still talk about what fun we had.
Oh wow Tameri, what an amazing race, I mean play. lol. Seriously, I’ve never heard of a play performed like this. I think it’s cool because it gets you really involved with the characters and plot. You don’t get tired of sitting in one place, that’s for sure. And what a beautiful day! Thanks for sharing this. Hubby and I are hoping to head down to San Diego soon. I should check into this. Have a great weekend! ๐
Definitely check into it! Let me know when you’re heading down here ~ if you have time in your schedule, I’d love to see you again. This was so much fun, but it is a lot of walking. Definitely no sitting! I actually accosted one poor man because I thought he was part of the play. Oops. He was like, ‘Whatever you think I’m a part of, I’m not’. We laughed about it, but I felt bad for bothering him. Although, he DID look like he belonged in the cast.
OHMYGODIWANNAGO!!!!!
You would love this! I would totally go with you, but I’d have to be a silent partner since I know the clues now. Or, I’d spin you around just to mess with you. Mwuahahahaahaa!
That sounded amazing!! I’m glad you went and had a great time. ๐
Thanks Tracey! It was loads of fun. And nice to try something new, too.
San Diego, food and wine?!? Does it get any better? ๐
We love to visit your fair city. My wife has a niece that lives there. We were there for the wedding a few years ago. My 15 year old was just asking this evening when we were going to visit that lovely baseball stadium you’ve got in Petco Park. We saw a couple games there one year. I also have yet to see enough of Balboa Park. Can’t wait to get back there.
It sounds like I need to schedule another visit, doesn’t it?
-Jimmy
I know, right? I didn’t know you come here sometimes. We need to meet the next time you’re down this way. Hopefully, that will be soon!
Sounds like a plan! My 14 year old has been talking about visiting Petco recently, so it might happen. We’ll see. The weather certainly can’t be beat. It’s always beautiful there. Here near Fresno – not so much. ๐
I’ll be sure and let you know next time we visit. Have a great week.
-Jimmy
Awesome idea!
Thanks for the tip… hopefully I can do it in February… if they work in the winter ๐
I’m not sure they’ll be performing in February, but who knows! It might be a smash hit and continue on into the new year. You should see if there is a Hawaiian edition of the play. By the way, my daughter’s over on Kauai right now. If you’re in the neighborhood, you should say hi. ๐
Accomplice sounds soooo cool! Amazing Race -competition +food & drink? What’s not to like? I’d be so there if they did something like this in Dayton!