# Haunting Theatrical Dinners 'The Willows' Tells an Immersive Tale of a Dysfunctional Family By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-03-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-willows References: [foodandwine](http://www.foodandwine.com/news/immersive-dining-dinner-theater) & [thewillowsla](http://www.thewillowsla.com/) 'The Willows' is the name of a new dinner show in Los Angeles that quickly draws attendees into a story about a dysfunctional, eccentric family. The event is limited to just 18 tickets per performance, in which guests are invited into a "mysterious celebration" with The Willows over the course of two hours. The [immersive dinner theater event](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/saratoga-supper-club) is not set on a stage, but a large mansion in LA. While enjoying [light food and drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxe-culinary-experience), guests will be able to explore the sprawling setting to gain a deeper understanding of the family's inner workings. The intimate, [immersive location-based experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/immersive-art-installation) transforms guests into characters who are essential to the story and asks: "Have you earned your place at the table?" ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 10% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Live Arts](https://www.trendhunter.com/livearts) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Immersive Dinner Theater:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create unique and engaging dining experiences by incorporating immersive storytelling and interactive elements. - **Location-based Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop immersive experiences that take place in unique and unconventional venues to create a more memorable and engaging event. - **Audience Participation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design events that actively involve attendees in the narrative, allowing them to become part of the story and have a customized experience. ### Where This Applies - **Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new ways of storytelling and engaging audiences through immersive experiences in the entertainment industry. - **Hospitality:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine dining with entertainment to offer guests a more memorable and engaging experience in the hospitality industry. - **Event Planning:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with immersive theater companies to create unique and immersive experiences for events and gatherings in the event planning industry. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Whimsical Theater-Driven Stays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elphabas-retreat-airbnb.md) - [Murder Mystery Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-perfect-bite.md) - [Avant-Garde Theatrical Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avantgarde-theatrical-experience.md) - [Luxuriously Immersive Spooky Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairmont-hotel-vancouver.md) - [Immersive Mystery Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crime-scene-investigator.md) - [Multi-Media Dining Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-3d-journey-through-time.md) - [Live Board Game Productions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-twentysided-tavern.md) - [Immersive Art Escape Rooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daydream-adventures.md) - [Haunting Film-Based Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deetz-residence.md)