I received a letter from my Aunt Leticia, Matriarch of the Sunflower family. I guess her son, Johnny, has met—and proposed to Judy Rose. Yes, you read that right: a Rose. Us Sunflowers have never gotten along with the Roses, worse than soil and salt; but if I know Leticia, she has something up her sleeve. Perhaps she sees this as an opportunity to seize control of the Rose fortune, or maybe she really did have something to do with Judy’s parent’s car accident and wants to bury the hatchet before it’s her head on the chopping block. Either way, an engagement party by Leticia at her gorgeous hotel, the Millennium Biltmore, should be the event of the century and I can’t wait. The Hotel Who?: A Love Story takes place over 5 hours in multiple locations throughout the hotel.

The Hotel Who: A Love Story

The Hotel Who: A Love Story is the second experience in The Hotel Who experiences, following 2022’s murder mystery experience at the historic Hotel Normandie. While A Love Story follows a similar flow as its predecessor, it changes out it’s whodunnit theming for a musical styling, focusing more on song and dance and less on clues and exploration. Yet, a climactic mystery is still present, especially when an engagement between warring families is involved, and the actors and immersive elements are as strong as ever, offering a fully-realized world for you to step into, engage with, and ultimately, complete an quest to make sure that true love flowers.

The Hotel Who: A Love Story consists of three acts, and a private brunch the next morning for those who opt to stay overnight. Depending on the ticket purchased, the experience can last between three and six hours, and can range from a fully immersive experience with plenty of interactivity from nine distinct characters to a 1950’s styled sock-hop dance party with those characters and a full live band: the incredibly talented Harry Katz and the Pistachios. Those who only experience the sock-hop (general admission tickets only partake in Act 3) may miss out on most of the narrative, but the party atmosphere is infectious and fun, providing a worthwhile experience for those who want a fun date night of drinks and dancing.

As such, The Hotel Who expanded their ticketing options, allowing for three separate packages for A Love Story: General, Premium, and VIP Overnight Stay. I’ll briefly describe each here and go into further detail below with my recommendations. General is the most budget friendly at $50 a ticket, but only offers admission into Act 3, a large 50’s styled sock-hop dance party. This ticket is perfect for those looking to dance for a few hours with little to no storyline or character interaction. The Premium Admission ($150) allows for admission into Acts 1, 2, and 3, offering a full narrative, 2 drinks, and some appetizers—with plenty of interaction with all characters. The VIP Overnight Stay package ($350 with an additional guest at $175) includes Acts 1, 2, and 3, an overnight stay in a private room at the Biltmore, and a brunch the following the morning where Leticia needs your help with a mysterious problem. All tickets cater to a different audience—so ensuring that you select the right one is paramount.

Leticia’s Engagement Party for Her Beloved Johnny

Below is an introduction to the three acts and brunch for A Love Story to set the appropriate expectations for the experience and help guide you in selecting the right ticket for your appetite. There are no major spoilers below, only minor details to help people better understand what the acts contain.

Act 1

Styled as an engagement party for Johnny and Judy, A Love Story starts in the Gallery Bar of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel where the back-half has been roped off for our private party. Beginning at 6pm (for all tickets but general), Act 1 serves as an opportunity for participants to meet the characters—and assess their temperament towards the wedding. All actors have embodied their role to perfection, responding to all audience questions in character, and of course, creating drama with the opposing family at every chance they find. It’s an absolute pleasure to watch. Numerous characters will also show off their incredible singing voices, using a nearby microphone to welcome members of both families as they celebrate the new engagement of Johnny and Judy.

Guests are given two drink tickets where they can order anything from the bar (trust me, the Negronis are fantastic) and partake in some refreshments and snacks, ranging from a platter of assorted artisanal pizzas to fresh fruit, meats, and honey to Caesar salads, breads, dips, and hummus. There’s enough food to tide you over until you return to your room at the end of the evening, but you’ll likely want to bring some snacks if you’re doing the overnight—or stop at In-n-Out on your way home if you aren’t.

Act 2

After a little over an hour into A Love Story, all participants are ushered to the penthouse on the 11th floor by the two families. While some audience members—especially those who attended last year’s The Hotel Who—will scour the multiple rooms of the penthouse looking for clues, please set your expectations correctly. There are no puzzles here; there are no secrets to be found. This act focuses on musical and dance performances and the narrative.

Here, two families become more vulnerable with each other and the guests, offering some truly special moments if you are in the right place at the right time. You may be lucky to find a character privately singing a melancholic rendition of “Blue Moon” to herself in a bathroom mirror. Or you may be lucky enough to be selected to sit in a chair as three of the unluckiest characters in love whisper “I love you” to you in gorgeous version of “Somethin’ Stupid” by Frank Sinatra. Or you may have another character beg you not to leave in heartbreaking ballad of “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”. Like any musical, these moments are not only impressively sung, but also provide insight into the characters inner turmoil in ways their walls would never allow a view into.

For those that still want to drink, wine is available for purchase. Guests can grab a glass and find the comfiest couch, as they watch the show unfold—or they can follow their favorite characters from room to room learning more about their role in this Romeo and Juliet meets Midsummer Night’s Dream storyline.

Act 3

After the second hour and a climatic reveal, the penthouse doors open, releasing participants onto a massive dancefloor, complete with photo opportunities, a band that exudes energy, and a series of puzzles that push the narrative towards the resolution. The set design here (by Karie Ann Flora) is exceptional, ensuring that this space feels fully festive and themed, as if a 1950’s prom had come to life. As the General Admission ticket holders join the Premium and VIP Overnight ticket holders here, the audience will split between those attempting the puzzles and those simply wanting to dance. There are also two cash bars here, for those who need a first, second, or fourth drink.

The puzzle sends participants on a scavenger hunt across the dance floor, solving a series of six riddles and finding the corresponding family member to tell the answer to. Physical items are given to each participant upon solving each riddle, providing a tangible sense of progression. These are simple riddles that may be easy for some or slightly tougher for others—but the characters will always help you if you need it. And if you don’t know all the characters, the bag handed out with the clues in it contains detailed character cards with pictures of all nine actors and a flashlight for those darker areas.

Once the puzzle is solved, there’s nothing left to do but immerse yourself in the music of Harry Katz and the Pistachios. This band knows how to engage its audience. You can’t help but want to dance listening to the catchy renditions of your favorite classics. The actors will also join participants on the dance floor—and then showcase a few expertly choreographed dance numbers. These are a highlight of the evening for sure, and further showcase the personalities of the characters, now unshackled from the expectations placed upon them prior in the evening.

As the evening winds down, the narrative concludes in a powerfully heartwarming and exciting manner. While it can feel hallmark-y at times, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep even the keenest audience member surprised.

Brunch

While the General and Premium ticket holders leave after the dance party, the VIP Overnight guests will return to their room to find a package slipped under their door. A series of notes introduce some new problems that Leticia is facing—involving some of the overnight guests. While this is billed as a puzzle—it is too easy to solve to really be considered a riddle and is rather a conversation started for the brunch the next day.

At brunch, only Leticia joins, allowing for some more playful banter with the Sunflower Matriarch—but we do miss the opportunity to mingle with all actors following the night before. With the help of the audience, a dangerous plot is uncovered and corrected. While the immersive offerings are light in the morning, the food is delicious. Guests are given coffee, a drink, and their choice of any breakfast on the menu. The short rib hash was exceptional—a perfect blend of rib meat, potatoes, mushrooms, peppers, sunny-side up eggs, and béarnaise sauce.

LARPING Done Right

A final differentiator for the overnight crowd: each guest with the VIP Overnight Stay ticket is given a character to assume during their stay at The Hotel Who. A short backstory and some eccentric quirks are detailed, giving you not just your own interesting character to become, but also giving you a pre-existing past with many of the actors. This in itself offers some opportunities for 1:1 moments that no other guests will experience.

I was Louis, a conductor for a notable Los Angeles Orchestra. I’d often work late hours, supplementing my drive and focus with alcohol that fueled daydreams as I stared off into a void of my own creation. As a Sunflower, I knew Diane well, and was prompted to seek her out and discuss my latest work with her, as well as her love of Jazz.

I love this inclusion because it gives the VIP audience a bit more connection to the experience, and the actors perfectly remembered our character names and our relationship. I became Louis for two days, and I felt welcomed into the Sunflower family—and suspicion from the Roses. It also created some wonderful opportunities to connect with other guests, including Flora, Leticia’s florist who had a mighty beard despite his feminine description, which was played up by all actors to great comedic effect.

Recommendation

With expectations set, hopefully you already know what ticket you want to purchase. If you don’t care for story or character interaction and you just want a lovely night our dancing—purchase a General Admission. If you want to see an immersive musical with some expert performances and some great characters, with light puzzle elements and a great band, then the Premium is for you. And if you want to become a character in their world, spending the night in the historic Millennium Biltmore (make sure you check out the pool!), and having breakfast with Leticia in the morning, then VIP is the only option for you.

No matter the option you choose, Hotel Who is an exceptionally well-crafted immersive musical with strong characters and memorable audience moments.

A Full Hotel

The Hotel Who: A Love Story continues the tradition set by 2022’s experience by creating characters that are alive, realistic in their motivations and their humanity, with vibrant backstories just waiting to be unearthed. Yet, despite the larger crowds and the general audience inclusion, the characters are always accessible; I never felt like I needed to line up or even wait to talk to them.

Personally, I came for the actor engagement and the narrative. While the Millennium Biltmore and even the other VIP guests often feel like characters, the highlight of the experience is the actors and their ability to bring the characters to life.

The Cast

Returning from last year is Lisa Stanley as Leticia Sunflower. She is the epitome of a sunflower, standing ten feet tall, watching over both Sunflowers and Roses alike. She’s as pleasant and warm as the color yellow, and as strong as the stalk that holds her up. She’s a delight to engage with, and her mechanistic meddling is a favorite to watch unfold. Stanley plays her to perfection, making all guests feel welcomed, yet watchful, as if she’s a female Logan Roy. And as a seasoned singer, Leticia’s musical numbers are a must-hear.

On the Rose side, RaMond Thomas plays Al Rose, Judy’s brother and Patriarch of the Rose household. He may be the actor that surprised me much. He begins stern and tough, as if he may begin a fight himself. He barked commands at me, and sent me on some fun quests early on in the night—but it wasn’t until Act 2 and 3, when his walls started to crumble, where Thomas truly shined. Soloing the end to “We’ll meet again,” and impressing everyone on the dancefloor, I did not expect such prowess from a man of so few words.

My best friend for the evening was Angeline Arlington (Romy Evans) who drank her sorrows away as the night progressed. Whether we were plotting the demise of both Johnny or Judy (or both), or we were lamenting the loss of love, Evans was able to showcase an open heart and desire for love that felt universal. She may be timid and soft spoken, but earn her trust, and she’s as loyal as they come. And her song, “Breaking up is hard to do”, is the perfect blend of comedy and tears.

If Arlington was my best friend for the evening, Holly Seidcheck as Diane Sunflower was my rival. She exudes sass and sarcasm, retorting my eager greeting with a strong “no”, and moving on to those more deserving of her time. Yet, as time progressed and teasing increased, Seidcheck proved to be one of the most insightful and intelligent members of any family. Just don’t call her Didi or this experience may turn into a murder mystery after all.

Elizabeth Kurtz (Alessandra Perdichizzi) is unmissable. She’s dressed for a funeral and mourning the loss of another suitable bachelor. While she can likely have any man at the party, she wants the unachievable, and her strong, confident outer shell hides the loneliness that only comes out in song when she believes she’s alone. Its in these tender moments that Perdichizzi transforms a bombshell into a layered character with depth and emotion.

Maciej Batoszewski returns from last year, playing Damien, a mysterious guest that no one quite knows who was invited. Batoszewski is the life of the party, moving through rooms like a chaotic wind, engaging with all, if not only for a moment, before moving to the next party. He’s loud, blusterous, and vibrant, a joyous mood captured in a pink suit. And by Act 3, Batoszewski showcases this his best talent may be his dancing, as he moves as if his body was liquid.

Johnny Sunflower (Johnny Bazaldua) and Judy Rose (Cheri Mckenzie) are both victims of the expectations of their parents. While both are well-mannered and quiet, they both have plenty of skills, dreams, and passions just lying below the surface. I shared my own advice, and Bazaldua didn’t just give me a canned response; he discussed it with me, diving deeper, and connecting with me, in a way that friends do—not actors and audiences.

Sadly, I did not get a chance to interact with Clara Rose (Venika Morrissette), but her voice truly filled the room as she sang beside her brother Al. It was easy to see her bubbly attitude from afar, and easy to see why she was always surrounded by friends and fans alike.

An Architectural Marvel

Opening in 1923, The Millennium Biltmore hotel was the largest hotel west of Chicago at the time. With 11 floors and almost 700 rooms, the hotel is full of history captured in its frescos and murals, carved marble fountains, and bronze stairwells and doorways. It’s the perfect setting to capture the opulence and power of Leticia Sunflower and her family. The Gallery bar offers a chance for audience and cast to mingle, while the dozens of hotel guests look on in envy as scenes unfold and they wonder just who the Sunflower and Rose families are.

The 11th floor—the top floor—offers a gorgeous view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline as the sun sets and a thousand lights illuminate the builds just beyond the windows that Leticia’s husband jumped from. The rooms feel lush, well decorated, and full of details that provide talking points for audience and actors alike.

For those spending the night at The Hotel Who: A Love Story, the rooms provided are exceptionally—the nicest hotel I have ever stayed out. The rooms have hallways, multiple closets (including a walk-in closet for some), and even a study for some desk work. I think the hotel room was larger than my apartment to be honest. In the heart of downtown, each room has a view of Los Angeles—enough to make each guest feel like the Sunflower or Rose relative that they have become for two days.

With your keycard, guests also have access to the amenities of the hotel, including an art deco pool that was used in the movie Cruel Intentions. There’s a sauna and a gym for those wanting to burn off the dips and pizzas eaten the prior day, and there’s numerous ballrooms that you can explore—just to see the history, the art, and architecture.

The creative team behind The Hotel Who are masters at selecting hotels that become characters in their narrative. While the Biltmore feels less private and more restrictive than the Normandie (e.g., there will be non-participants in the brunch area), the grandiose nature fits the story well and elevates the Sunflowers beyond just another hotel owner and makes her one of the most powerful families in LA. This is site-specific storytelling at its finest.

Constructive Criticism:

While The Hotel Who: A Love Story is easily the best immersive experience to be experienced in Los Angeles currently, there are always areas to improve upon. First, there are some simple logistics that can be improved and ironed out—as expected during the first and second time this experience has run—including some difficulty hearing characters (even with microphones) and some rooms that were exceptionally warm (even at night). These should be solved by the time you attend, if you haven’t bought a ticket yet.

Second, the audience members are differentiated from the main actors by wearing a necklace with either a sunflower or a rose on it to designate their allegiance—but some audience members removed these necklaces, adding in their own story elements, confusing other audience members and obfuscating the main narrative through-line. This is easily remedied by adding something to actor’s costume to ensure actors are clearly identified and no “game-jacking” can occur from audience members.

Third, the puzzle scavenger hunt in Act 3 rewards the first one to solve it, but for all who complete it after that ambitious first guest, they only receive a card stating that someone obtained the item in question before them. This is a disappointing conclusion for those who worked hard to reach the end. We have already given this feedback to the creative team, and they are working diligently to come out with an alternative end to this portion of A Love Story, showcasing the receptivity of this team to adapt and grow based on audience feedback.

Finally, I would love to see an expansion of the puzzles and riddles at The Hotel Who: A Love Story. While the whodunnit puzzles of 2022 were subtle as well, this year focused on simple riddles that were quickly solved but provided some charming interactions with the characters (especially catching air with Angeline). I’d love to see more clues and expanded lore hidden throughout the space, more interactivity among the players (unique clues that could be shared to solve mysteries), and some unique elements that elevate the puzzles beyond simple riddles. We understand this isn’t an escape room—nor is it trying to be—but there is a great opportunity here and it could be a very rewarding element of The Hotel Who: A Love Story if executed right.

Conclusions

The Hotel Who: A Love Story is a musical that invites you to become a character in. It’s engaging, it’s emotional, and it’s a 1950’s inspired party that offers something for everyone. Seriously, you can dance to the infectious melodies of Harry Katz and the Pistachios, plot the demise of an ex-lover with an inebriated friend, or hear renditions of some of your favorite 1950’s and 60’s songs (music direction by the incredible Lisa Stanley.

Yes, the puzzles are a little too easy, the dinner of last year is replaced by a series of fancy charcuterie boards and artisan pizzas, and the murder has been supplanted by musical numbers with impressive choreography—but the heart of this experience is always the characters. It’s stepping into their world, engaging with their characters over drinks, and helping them solve their problems as the world around them conspires against them. To me, that’s well worth the price of admission.
Pack a bag, and check in to The Hotel Who. Leticia doesn’t like to wait—and who knows if Johnny and Judy will find their way to the alter if you aren’t there to help.

The Hotel Who: A Love Story runs April 15th to July 15th, 2023. For more information about The Hotel Who, check out their Facebook, Instagram and website. For information about similar events, check out our Event Calendar.

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