Quarantine ABQ

Five years ago, I penned a four star review of a Quarantine production that took place in a corn field. This year I'm updating with another four star salute and I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum. If you're on the fence about buying a ticket, forget my rating, read this description and ask yourself if the play (not a traditional haunted house) sounds like your cuppa blood, er, tea.If you're familiar with Quarantine's previous work, you know they've tackled some scary scenarios, from aliens to a zombie apocalypse, in performances that break the fourth wall and ask the audience to actively participate in the slaughter. It's great fun, somewhat freaky, super immersive. In 2019's "Fantasmagoria" (great title, yo), they've perhaps regressed and lept forward; the fourth wall has re-erected -- there's no audience interaction, here -- and the theatrical performance has been enhanced. Now playing in a fully furnished Victorian home (amazingly, in a warehouse on a dark street in a spooky area of the city), the set is impressive, the storyline more involved than ever, acting is sharp and intense, you're going to see a play that literally moves.A format all the rage in larger cities, "Fantasmagoria" splits the audience into groups who follow various characters about the house, witnessing scenes that build the dramatic tension that ultimately leads to the bloodletting. Some of it works, some feels like filler, but you're never wandering far from the central narrative. If you're into this kinda thing, they offer a fun, inexpensive way to return and get an entirely new tour of the carnage. I keep dropping in bloody metaphors, but really, this is a very tame show -- no jump scares, I'd let my 9 year-old do it, if she asked. Ultimately, I was impressed with the commitment to the material, particularly by a few notable performers, and I consider this show a terrific way to welcome the Halloween tradition of great haunted houses back for another season. Now, where are the chainsaws and zombies, already?

This years Quarantine ABQ Harvest Ball well I'll just say someone dropped the ball. Deflated the ball. It was from start to finish hard to follow. So much chaos. If you're expecting to be scared like we were save your money. This isn't at all like the other two haunt's we've been to. The zombie apocalypse in the corn fields was so good. And the one at the state fair grounds was also great. This not so much. Different rooms had conversations going on that you couldn't follow then one character would end up killing the other. The janitor was a crazy dude. Hopefully next year we go and get our money's worth.

If your goal is to donate money to local amateur theater, Quarantine has everything you're looking for. If you are looking for some Halloween frights you'll have better luck riding the bus on Central at night. It was really bad. The story made zero sense and it was not scary in any way shape or form. Very disappointed. In sum, don't go.

This was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was scary, but not too scary. Great for teens and up, but not for the faint of heart, as there is running involved. I found myself out of breath running and screaming my way through the corn maze. It was a great cardio workout and so much fun! A couple of suggestions that kept it from hitting the 5-star mark:- It isn't easy to find for those who do not know where the Rio Grande Community Farm is at. There is no lighting around the sign and it is a very dark area. - I know they are going for the full effect, of spooky, but some lights around the parking lot and the bridge that you cross over wouldn't hurt. In my job, I am always accessing risk and liability, so please take me seriously when I say you need to add more lighting for the safety of the participants (just around the parking lot and the bridge). I mean, I don't think it would jeopardize the guest experience, but only increase safety. Other than that, it was an excellent time to be had. I strongly recommend!!!

Quarantine: Origins isn't half bad! I'm used to being scared by all these haunted mazes, so I'd like to think I'm better at handling these things now. Alas, I still jumped (and possibly screamed...) at a couple of scares.Quarantine ABQ is similar to your typical haunted mazes, but slightly more interactive. Rather than just having you walk through a path and have people jump out at you, this attraction involves its audience by integrating them into the storyline. The Origins storyline tells the tale of how the zombie outbreak starts in Albuquerque. I haven't been the previous ones, so I'm assuming there's a different story presented each year. While the plot is pretty typical and a bit cheesy at times, it's a lot of fun if you go with friends and with the mindset of wanting to be scared. Go with an open mind and without expectations and you'll have fun. The whole thing was a bit short for the $20 admission price, but I had a lot of fun so I'd recommend it for Halloween enthusiasts.Tips: Bring comfy shoes! You'll be trekking across some lumpy uneven ground, so make you have decent shoes so you don't roll your ankles on accident. Also, there's a part where you're riding in a vehicle, so make sure you're securely in so you don't accidentally fall out and get eaten by zombies ;)

Whoa....so this was a fun experience. I wasn't sure what I was in for here, but I should have read the reviews. If you are planning in partaking in this interactive haunted adventure, be sure to wear your running shoes and be prepared to run from zombies! You go with a small group of 5-7 people and as you go through the scenario, you are lead by various actors of the experience and once you get through it, you learn what role you played in your group. But as you go through the journey, you are in such a state of panic, and your adrenaline is pumping that you don't have time to think about it. For me, my friend and I were "bitten" as we lost our group as we ran through the dark and erie,dark cornfield filled with zombies! As soon as I heard that it was brought by the Blackout Theater, I knew it would be good! I loved all of the little touches that made this a very fun, scary, unforgettable experience.

What's your typical haunted house? "Oooo, see the vampire! Now marvel at the killer clowns. Fear the smoky strobe light!" What's Quarantine? NOT that!The interactive nature of Quarantine made quick friends of the 2 random young ladies who were added to my group. In line, we made small talk about our lives and in the field we were pushing each other and screaming to beware the zombie sneaking up on the right. The single narrative makes this much more satisfying than the October spooks I tend to avoid. Fair warning, if you're not the type to play along and get into the experience, go ahead and stand in the back and let the fun people enjoy.Now I just have to go back and find out what happens if choose Fate!

Maybe I should blame society, perhaps I should blame my parents. Apparently I'm desensitized to any third rate scare tactics.I had high hopes waiting in line to take my turn through the Quarantine...heart racing, knees weakening. I won't spoil the experience for anyone. Many in our group appeared to thoroughly enjoy this interactive experience. I, however, was unimpressed. Perhaps I needed a closer environment and more props. I can say this....to have the best experience go into this event with the correct mindset. PLAY THE PART and you should have a good time.

The show is all new this year! Phantasmagoria is unlike anything else you'll see in ABQ. Suspensful, but not a traditional "haunted house" where people startle and chase you. This is like getting to be on stage during a spooky play. You become part of the scenery, and no two audience members will experience the same sequence of events. Go with a group, but don't be afraid to get separated. You'll all get together during the show and at the end to compare notes, and you'll all want to go back to see more!

Incredibly disappointed. Every year we look forward to Quarantine and were so excited for this years return. This was nothing like previous years. Instead of being immersed in the story you are simply a member of the audience watching a play and far from scary. Defiantly not worth the amount of money they charged.