'The Willows' Los Angeles From JFI Productions Is A Family Dinner Party Like No Other

The Willows Los Angeles, from Just Fix It Productions (Creep LA), is one of the most thrilling and memorable performances I have ever seen - or been a part of. Because with JFI, everyone is a part of the show. It begins when you enter a 10,000 square foot mansion (that happens to be on the same street as the infamous American Horror Story "murder house") and join the The Willows as they host a dinner party to celebrate the life of a recently deceased loved one.

If you've ever watched Revenge, Ready or Not, or Knives Out, then you know that one thing rich families have in abundance, aside from money, is secrets. The Willows are certainly no different. Hidden journals, sibling rivalries, and controlling in-laws are just a few of the of the issues simmering beneath the welcoming surface of the family.

There is food - and it is good - but it's not really about the food. There are also plenty of fun libations, like the quite strong whiskey cocktail Claudia whipped up for me shortly after I arrived. There is time for mingling, and, if you're lucky, exploring the house before dinner. The more you interact with The Willows and their staff, the more of the family gossip you will hear.

The evening has a few different stages, like pre-dinner drinks, the meal itself, dessert, and... let's say, other "festivities." Reminder, this is not a series of vignettes you are walking past or different performances you stop to watch. The moment you walk into that house you are a part of the show, and a part of The Willows family - which means if you do not mind your manners, you may be punished as The Willows are. Note: Do try to keep your elbows off the table.

Since JFI Productions only offers 18 tickets per performance, it truly feels like you are attending a dinner party with a host of new friends, and a family that is just a bit... off. I was quickly swept away by Angela, who complimented me and asked if we could be sisters. Obviously I said yes, and that earned me a walk through the house, a run-in with a man named Conrad (as he was in the shower), and some hot goss.

The Willows matriarch seemed to take a liking to me, which was both exciting and intimidating. At other points in the evening I was pulled outside, to the basement, to the kitchen, and into the family library. I helped Angela play a little prank, and I snooped through the library. With a JFI Productions event, you never quite know where you'l end up.

Describing the evening in too much detail would risk spoiling it, but I will say it was the most fun and invigorating dinner party I have ever been to - and I don't expect that standing to change any time soon. You may recognize faces from previous JFI events, like Creep LA, Haus of Creep, etc., in The Willows, but everyone on the cast is acting their asses off, so it doesn't affect your ability to get sucked into the narrative.

As amazing as it is, The Willows is not necessarily for everyone. Wallflowers who prefer to keep to themselves may feel put on the spot at times, and without trying to mingle with the characters, you won't learn as much of the story.

There are also warnings for fog/haze, moments of darkness (including complete darkness thanks to a blindfold), themes around mental health, moments of crawling, walking on uneven terrain, extended standing, etc. This is not to say that you have to be in amazing shape to attend The Willows, because I am certainly not, but to show that this visit is more than just sitting in the audience.

The Willows runs through November 19, 2023. However, tickets have already sold out for every performance, thanks to the show's popularity. This is a limited engagement of the beloved haunted house experience, which previously ran for four sold-out years. After finally getting the chance to attend, it is not hard to see why.

The $200 ticket price may sound steep, but it is an event unlike any other, and an experience you won't soon forget. Two hours flies by when you're with The Willows family. I was having such a great time, I could've stayed for another two.

Since the first Creep LA in 2015, JFI has been providing unparalleled experiences that combine choreography, acting, improvisation, and, of course, a love for all things macabre. They are also known for their immersive brand activations, like for Halloween Kills and Amazon's I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Though this show has sold out, it's not a bad idea to keep tabs on JFI, whether through social media and/or their website, as you never know when they are going to announce another show. I already can't wait.