A Fun, Immersive, Nostalgic Trip Back to the 90s and Illegal Radio. Currently Playing During the Without Walls Festival Until Sunday, April 24

A Blog View by Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti

La Jolla Playhouse's WoW Festival is in full throttle and the first show in our selection was 40 Watts from Nowhere an immersive experience that chronicles the true story of Sue Carpenter, a restless magazine editor turned radio pirate. In 1995, Sue poured every penny she had into creating an illegal radio station, KBLT, in her closet, which transformed her apartment into the secret heartbeat of the Silver Lake music scene. Over three years, she built an enduring underground community welcoming misfit music lovers into her home and onto the air almost 24 hours a day.

The experience is with groups of five people at a time. The group is then guided into Sue's apartment where the radio booth is AND, WE ARE ALL SUE. In a sort of escape room dynamic, audience members are guided through headphones on clues and actions. Each person is free to decide which song to queue on the air and explain why with scripted intros and a ready-to-go microphone to channel your inner DJ. We will even face getting caught in the whole illegal radio thing and you will have to figure out the rest with the other "Sues" in your group.

Mister and Mischief (a.k.a. Jeff and Andy Crocker) combined a setting that entails a live reenactment, teamwork, creativity, and drive aside from the 90s nostalgia that we older people will have walking around Sue's living room containing magazines, blockbuster video rentals, and other 90s iconic props. Totally enjoyable, original, and a must-see.

It is practically sold out, but as a tip, if you really want to experience it, I recommend you approach the check-in table and see if there are any cancellations. The remaining shows times are:

FRI: 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm

SAT: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm

SUN: 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm