The creative team of The Purge: Fear the Night, from left to right: Josh Simon, co-producer; Jason Blum, producer; Melanie Jones, production designer; and Kristjan Thor and Josh Randall, directors. Photo by Mara Barr

Plagued by less than stellar reviews the first weekend, The Purge: Fear the Night quickly overhauled the original concept and offered refunds and return tickets to anyone who was disappointed in their experience. This dedication to entertaining the audience has paid off in a big way.  The new event cuts a previously planned two and a half hour self-guided tour down to a 40 minute thrill ride. Jam packed with energy and intense story telling, the new event feels like The Blumhouse of Horrors on steroids.

I entered the National Headquarters of the New Founders of America on “Purge Night”. If you haven’t seen the movie, this is an annual 12 hour period where all crime is legal… even murder. Given my official documents, I was placed with a group of six others and led alone through a “full body search” and into a convention hall to join my group and wait for my tour to begin. Producer Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (The Purge, Paranormal Activity, Insidious) came with me on my walkthrough… or should I say runthrough? Because believe me, for most of the show you are running. Up and down stairs, in and out of elevators, and on all kinds of terrain… why did I wear heels?

Of course, the tour starts out calmly enough. I am playing the part of a delegate taking refuge during the Purge, but insurgents soon break in (Constitutionalists). Now held hostage at gunpoint, I am driven forward through the frenzied world on Purge night. Will I survive? I don’t want to ruin the experience with spoilers, because part of what makes it so much damn fun is the hyper kinetic pace and the fact that you never know which way you are going next. Up or down, right or left. On your knees. Up against a wall. Into a cage… and RUN!

The author with security clearance to enter the Headquarters for Purge Night. Photo by Karla Johnson

Going through this with Mr. Blum at my side proved that even someone who has been through this before can be thoroughly surprised and entertained. With a gun in his face, on his knees with his hands over his head, he grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. And I was grinning, too. This show is fast, furious fun. I highly recommend The Purge: Fear the Night and commend the creators for the hard work they’ve put in to make sure people leave screaming and smiling.

The Purge: Fear the Night is located at the Variety Arts Theater in Downtown LA.
Performances are held Thurs-Sat with expanded days during Halloween week.
Eight arrival times per evening.  Audience members must be 18 or older.
Ticket prices start at $39.

For more information see www.purgelive.com