Experience Review - All In: A Speakeasy Casino (Curious Levity)

Experience Review - All In: A Speakeasy Casino
Presented By: Curious Levity - Seattle, WA
Show Run: July 31 - September 04, 2026 (Extended)
Date Reviewed: Friday, July 31, 2026
Run Time: About 2 Hours
Reviewed by: Greg Heilman

One of the challenges of reviewing immersive theatre is that, while I want to provide enough information for readers to make a decision about whether to go or not, the less I say about the actual event, sometimes the better. Traditional plays can be discussed scene by scene without diminishing the audience’s experience. An immersive production is different. Discovery is part of the entertainment. Every conversation, every clue, every unexpected revelation belongs to the audience that uncovers it. That makes writing about Curious Levity’s All In: A Speakeasy Casino something of a balancing act, not because there isn’t plenty to say, but because so much of what makes it memorable deserves to remain a surprise.

Extended through September 4, All In transforms Seattle’s historic Bergman Luggage Building into a supernatural casino where fate, chance, and mystery intertwine. Rather than presenting audiences with a story to watch from the sidelines, Curious Levity invites them to become patrons of a strange establishment that seems to exist somewhere between this world and the next. Guests are free to gamble away the years that each has been allotted in the form of chips, converse with the casino’s eclectic residents, enjoy live music and specially crafted mocktails, or simply observe as the mythology of the casino gradually reveals itself. It’s an experience that sits comfortably somewhere between live theatre, escape room, role-playing game, and interactive social event, yet ultimately feels unlike any of them.

One of the experience’s greatest strengths is the atmosphere it creates. From the moment guests enter, there is an overwhelming sense that everyone belongs. The casino is populated by an assortment of souls, each with their own history, personality, and purpose, yet there is never any sense of judgment or exclusion. Whether you’re naturally outgoing or prefer to quietly take everything in, the environment encourages attendees to simply be themselves. That welcoming atmosphere becomes one of this casino’s defining characteristics.

Equally impressive is the commitment of the ensemble. Every performer has clearly developed not only their own character’s backstory, but an understanding of the larger mythology that binds the casino together. Conversations rarely feel isolated or improvised for the sake of filling time. Instead, they feel like stepping into an ongoing world that has existed long before the audience arrived. Ask one character about another and you’ll often uncover another thread to follow, another mystery to investigate, or another perspective on the casino’s strange existence. It’s a level of world-building that gives All In remarkable cohesion.

While every inhabitant of the casino contributes to its mythology, a few naturally emerge as central figures. Steph Couturier’s Reggie quickly becomes someone guests learn is worth knowing, serving as both a guide through the casino’s economy and the person patrons ultimately seek out to cash in their fortunes at evening’s end. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Don Beeson as Azra, the casino’s delightfully devilish proprietor. Azra exudes the confidence of someone who knows the house always has the advantage, isn’t above changing the rules when it suits him, and even offers an unexpected reward for the night’s five most successful gamblers. Don strikes a wonderful balance between charming host and mischievous puppet master, making Azra feel both welcoming and just a little dangerous.

That sense of immersion extends to the casino games themselves. Each table is immediately recognizable, but features a clever supernatural twist. “Deceit” transforms Rock, Paper, Scissors into a casino game of chance, “Purgatory” evokes the familiar rhythms of a craps table, “Chaos” puts its own spin on roulette with a boardwalk-style spinning wheel, while “Hunt” recalls horse racing as competitors advance one space at a time with each roll of the dice. The brilliance of the design lies in the fact that players don’t need to spend the evening learning complicated rules. The games feel familiar enough that guests can quickly jump in while remaining completely on theme.

Beyond the games, however, lies the experience’s greatest reward. Each character has their own interconnected questline, and the more willing guests are to engage in conversation, ask questions, and follow clues, the richer the evening becomes. In many ways, the casino itself is only the setting, the real game is uncovering the stories of the people who inhabit it. It’s worth emphasizing that All In rewards participation. Those content to play games and enjoy the ambience will still have an enjoyable evening, but those willing to step outside their comfort zone and initiate conversations with the casino’s residents will uncover a much deeper experience. It takes a little courage to begin those first interactions, but once the ice is broken, the entertainment value increases dramatically.

That said, I did find myself wishing the performers took a slightly more proactive role in engaging quieter guests early in the evening. While many interactions naturally occur as players move throughout the casino, those less inclined to approach performers themselves may not immediately realize just how much story is waiting to be discovered. A few additional character-initiated conversations near the beginning of the experience could help hesitant attendees discover the narrative threads sooner, encouraging them to fully embrace the immersive nature of the event.

The optional VIP experience serves as an excellent introduction to the world before stepping onto the casino floor. Guests are welcomed into a cordoned-off lounge where they receive individual attention, a celebratory non-alcoholic champagne, and one-on-one time with Quinn, the casino’s Resident Angel, another of many strongly fleshed out characters inhabiting the mysterious venue. Rather than simply feeling like an upgraded ticket, the experience eases guests into the mythology and establishes the tone before the evening truly begins.

Visually, All In succeeds in creating an environment that feels both elegant and unsettling. Rich reds dominate the color palette, lending the casino an unmistakably otherworldly quality without becoming overly theatrical. The historic character of the Bergman Luggage Building only enhances the illusion that this mysterious establishment has existed for generations. Throughout the evening, Guy Nelson, as the enigmatic Clarion, provides an elegant live piano score that quietly elevates every interaction, never demanding attention but constantly reinforcing the atmosphere. Complementing the music is Leigh Shaw as Nova, whose smooth, sultry vocals drift through the casino, adding another layer of sophistication and helping transport guests into this strange, exotic world.

The speakeasy concept itself also offers room for future expansion. While the venue certainly captures the ambience of a hidden establishment, I found myself imagining an even stronger arrival. A secret password at the entrance, or perhaps different introductory experiences depending on whether guests knew the phrase, could further reinforce the illusion of discovering a place few people were ever meant to find. Likewise, the event’s three signature mocktails are thoughtfully crafted, though some lean toward more adventurous flavor profiles than one might expect from a classic speakeasy. Simpler options alongside the existing creations might appeal to an even broader audience.

One practical consideration is comfort. Between the extensive atmospheric lighting, the enclosed historic venue, and a full house of enthusiastic participants, the casino becomes noticeably warm as the evening progresses. Dressing comfortably will make the experience even more enjoyable.

Ultimately, All In is difficult to compare with anything else currently being offered in the Puget Sound theatre scene because it isn’t trying to be a conventional theatrical production. It asks its audience to become participants rather than observers, rewarding curiosity, conversation, and imagination far more than passive viewing. Curious Levity has created a world populated by memorable characters who never break the illusion, supported by thoughtful design, engaging games, live music, and an atmosphere that invites everyone to belong.

As The Sound on Stage continues to expand its coverage, experiences like All In remind us that theatre doesn’t have to fit neatly into traditional definitions. It can be a play. It can be a musical. It can be a cabaret. Or, in this case, it can be a supernatural casino where every conversation, every gamble, and every choice helps shape your evening. The more you’re willing to invest in the experience, the more it gives back. Like the casino itself, the evening rewards those willing to go all in, not with bigger stacks of chips, but with richer conversations, deeper discoveries, and unforgettable moments. By the time you’ve pushed your final stack of chips across Reggie’s counter, chances are you’ll already be wondering what might have happened had you taken a different path through the casino. That’s the mark of a truly successful immersive production, and it’s why All In stands among the most distinctive theatrical experiences currently available anywhere in the Puget Sound region.

Curious Levity’s new experience, All In: A Speakeasy Casino has had its presence extended through September 4. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://www.curiouslevity.com/.

Photo credit: Films About Artists