Shana Nys DambrotA sort of multidisciplinary, interactive “choose your own adventure” performance piece, Rio Reveals is a project that began its life as an immersive, site-specific production along the L.A. River. When Firefly Nights pivoted to the online space and transformed into Rio Reveals, they went to great lengths to keep the same energy while reimagining and expanding the universe of stories, and adding ways for the audience to have agency in the experience.
The gentle maze of audio, video, visual art, music, dance, zoom rooms (prepare to be on camera for a minute!) and even the parts where the river calls you on your phone are self-guided and intuitive. Though the audience touches down in shared spaces here and there, for the most part, you are on your own and free to find your own path through history.
Rio Reveals (Photo: Firefly Nights)
Each night starts with the mythical story of geologist Dr. Alison Vincent in her quest to unlock the untold stories and voices behind the Los Angeles River. The production is scored with more than 200 pieces of original music from composers Jonathan Sanford and Amanda Yamate, woven with hours of live and pre-recorded audio and video and extensive real-time live scenes.
More than 60 artists have built five parallel stories for you to explore through an innovative hybrid platform, in an 80-minute storytelling adventure in which, just as you can’t step in the same river twice, no two experiences of the show are alike.
Live performances Thursday-Sunday, 7pm & Saturdays at 4pm, through February 7; $40; rioreveals.com.
Rio Reveals
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