By Ethan Mermelstein

Reality Reality takes place on THURSDAY APRIL 20th 8pm at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg (80 Wythe Avenue).

Email [email protected] for tickets and further information

The idea is simple: A group of friends get together for food and drinks in a hotel room. An audience is invited to watch.

The concept attempts to capture the feeling I get when I’m on a train standing next to people in the middle of a conversation. I can’t help but listen, especially if they’re unguarded — unaware that a stranger might be eavesdropping. They could be gossiping about a friend, sharing a dark secret, or figuring out what groceries they’ll need to buy later. I’m helplessly drawn in. Every sentence has traces of their entire relationship. The little gestures too. Usually I’ll glance over, but only for a few seconds before turning away. I’m uncomfortable looking for too long, because I don’t want them to notice me.

But I want to know more. Want to see where they go, what their lives are like. How they act when they think nobody is watching.

This is an opportunity to do just that.

I’ve been calling it a “reality play,” but that suggests there’s an expectation for drama and conflict and acting and other theater essentials. That’s not the case here. This is just reality. Friends eating, drinking, maybe playing a board game, smoking a little, and talking about anything.

The experience at the Wythe Hotel will be very intimate.  The audience will consist of about six people. If you are uncomfortable in small spaces, this version of Reality Reality isn’t for you (but keep your eye out for the next one!). Audience members will enter a guest room that has already been checked into. The room is built with a one-way mirror separating the living area from the bathroom. The seating area for the audience will be set up in the bathroom in the shower.

You’ll be like a shadow, or a ghost (or even a ghost’s shadow), eavesdropping on strangers. Silently dropping in — without any context as to who these people are or what’s going on in their lives. For a few hours, you’ll get a glimpse. Then you leave and never see them again.

Because tickets are limited, we ask you to request a single ticket by emailing [email protected] with your full name and contact information. Audience members will be randomly selected.  If you want to attend with another person, please note the person’s name in your email. We will take this into account, but unfortunately we cannot guarantee tickets to both members of a pair. Tickets are free but donations to cover costs of the event are welcome. There will be a strict no photo, video, cellphone policy for the duration of the event.

We are accepting donations to cover the costs of this event, and to help make future versions of this piece possible. Thank you for your contribution!