Behind the scenes, the disorienting but charming chaos of a small production

Real talk, I can't stand musicals. Maybe it is that way because I wasn't gifted with the talent of song and dance, or maybe because I had friends in high school, who knows. Either way, if characters burst into song more than once per scene, I'm out. (no, I haven't seen Wicked and no, it will not change my opinion on musicals, stop asking)

So, there I am, standing under the heavy rain before the back door entrance of The Pearl, skeptical yet curious. I walk in almost complete darkness, with only loud, but admittedly great vocals guiding me to an empty booth. I was here to see a dress rehearsal. The first thing I see after entering the theater is people in sweatpants and rain boots, singing, talking to themselves, shouting to the light and sound booth to "fix the red light, it is not the vibe." I wasn't entirely sure at that point who I should follow and take notes on first.

After thirty minutes of silently taking in the surreal scene, one of the actors (Muqiu), suddenly busted out Born This Way by Lady Gaga, slaying hard in a dazzling blue sequinned plaid skirt suit. And just like that, it hit me: This place wasn't called The Grey and Completely Normal Rock, it was The Pearl for a reason.

I believe that I've made my position and insight into the musical theater quite clear; I am not familiar with the ins and outs of such a production at all. So, after observing the actors yelling lines at each other for almost two hours, I realized something interesting – the smaller the production, the grittier and the more personal the pre-show process is. Honestly, for half of the time, I couldn't understand what was part of the script and what was just giving directions and criticism to each other.

In a local theater, with a small budget and cast, each performer oversees multiple things. Trenton Schnieders and Ksenia Geddes co-wrote the script in about 6 months and spent about as much on finalizing the cast and the set design. However, to my surprise, it seems that the more you rehearse, the more finessing you do to the script and the set. In between takes, I sat next to Trenton to get some bits and pieces. "Once a show is officially produced, like Wicked, for example, a super famous musical, you're no longer allowed to change it. But in our case, since we wrote it and it's never been done before, we have a lot of flexibility. When we wrote the script, it lived in our minds where anything is possible. But once we bring it into a real physical space, with all its limitations, especially with lighting and sound, it's different," says Trenton.

It's show time – so, does the chaos actually work? Well, yes.

Before I tell you, my experience being at the first ever show of the "Women who Kill", let's talk about the venue, The Pearl. Even from just the outside, The Pearl has a certain air about it. You look at it, and wonder what it was before it became The Pearl. In case you didn't know, the actual building used to be a Japanese Buddhist temple, back in the day. Then it was transformed into an Egyptology Museum, if you go to the second floor, you can still find a single remaining Egyptian statue overseeing the events unfolding in the new era of The Pearl. One of the main bosses of the establishment, Grant (who seems to be pretty famous in Shanghai), was kind enough to give us a little tour of the place. I've mentioned that there are stories of ghostly possessions in the walls of The Pearl; however, Grant was quick to deny those rumors, what a shame…

I personally get a little too excited when I step into a room that feels like something from an Agatha Christie novel. The bar, the stage, the seats, everything made me want to put on my best flapper dress and try to solve a murder mystery. I don't know how else to describe it. My two companions and I were seated in one of the booths, close to the main stage. The first thing I notice is that we are surrounded by loud and excited folk ready to celebrate the month of June and all the inclusive festivities the month produces. I suppose it just comes with being inside a musical theater space. People were lit up and here for a good time, quite obviously. Neither of my friends has ever been to such a place; however, they are probably used to my shenanigans by now, so all they have to do is sit and enjoy the show.

As for the main event, let me try to describe it without too many spoilers. This was my first time experiencing such a bizarre mix of a cabaret set design, live performance, singing, dancing and storytelling (plus the food is actually surprisingly good), at times, I wasn't sure where to keep my focus on. What makes this show unique is the audience interaction process. Think if Dora the Explorer was catered to the drinking adults in a dimly lit theater, the best I can describe it. We, the audience, were tasked with deciding the outcome of the story with a vote. We were tasked not only to pay full attention to the play, but also during the short intermissions to search for clues. My team managed to find one; however, to be completely honest, I had no idea what it meant (perhaps the Cherry Sour was occupying too much of my brain). But it was a fun and exciting experience nonetheless. I think such an approach would only be possible in a smaller, more intimate production. It not only keeps the audience more engaged, but also keeps it more interesting to the actors, a fine idea.

Since we were sitting at a booth, we got the best view and the softest seats. However, if you are less of an introvert, I am pretty sure at some point, two of the audience members sitting at the tables right next to the stage got a lap dance, so if that is your thing, opt for the tables. Speaking of dance, it was something I did not expect to see as much of. There was a lot of expressive, almost sensual dancing, moving to and fro on the stage, and in and among the audience between the seats. My favorite one being when the blond, gold-digging influencer (relatable) Serena Blair had a full number with wig changes, press-on nails and even some voguing, or "noguing" as people from the actual ballrooms would refer to it. It was a real "happy June" moment.

Final verdict

You must be wondering, did "Women Who Kill" convert me into a musical theater lover? The short answer is no. Did I enjoy this show? Definitely. My companions and I ended up having a great time. Experiencing raw talent and emotions in a beautiful building full of history is a fun Friday night. Gen Z aren't at the clubs always, ya know. In an era of AI and sterile digital entertainment, The Pearl feels like stumbling into a hidden speakeasy where art is still alive, messy, and human. The sounds, the smells, and the genuine smiles on people's faces are becoming a lost art. It doesn't feel commercial or overly produced, which in a sense makes you somehow feel part of the show. People working there come from all over the world, China, the USA, Belarus, etc. Some have been working in the industry for 10+ years, while others have just graduated with a performance arts degree; it all feels very organic. So, if you are looking for a great night out, even if you've been to The Pearl multiple times, this is definitely worth saving the date for.

They are only doing three shows, before they take the performance to the UK at the Fringe festival. Yes, it's sort of a big deal, so... expect seats to sell out.

Wanna go?

Scan the QR code on the flyer. Bring friends, or a date who knows how to have a good time. Also... I can see this being a team building activity that doesn't suck (they make drinks strong).