And we’re back! NYC’s Secrets & Lies, my live storytelling show about secret NYC history, is celebrating Spooky Season by going underground with our new partner – New York Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn. Join us on Thursday, October 22 at 6:00 PM for a special Halloween edition of our show.
Set within the museum’s authentic 1936 decommissioned subway station, the interactive performance challenges audiences to untangle truth from chilling fiction in New York City’s past. Four master storytellers step up to the mic. Three will share shocking, true tales from New York transit history. One will deliver a bold lie. Listen closely, track the details, and cast your vote. Uncover the liar correctly, and you’ll be entered into the lottery to win a fantastic prize from the museum.
Seating inside the museum is strictly limited. Claim your spot early before seats vanish!
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Created, produced, and hosted by licensed New York City tour guide and author Christa Avampato, NYC’s Secrets & Lies blends investigative history, competitive sleuthing, and live performance. The October 22 production features a curated lineup of master storytellers, including Dr. Edith Gonzalez, Vicki Eastus, Emily Olsen, and Jahtiek Long.
The storytellers of NYC’s Secrets & Lies and I have spent the last month celebrating the secrets hidden beneath New York City—from the quiet wilderness of Central Park to the forgotten history in the street streets. As October deepens, we’re switching our focus from nature’s secrets to something far more chilling: NYC’s infamous ghosts and the secrets they left behind.
The audience feedback from our last event, NYC’s Secrets & Lies – Nature, was absolutely overwhelming. Before we dive into the chilling tales planned for October 28th, we want to prove that this is more than just a show—it’s a truly unforgettable New York experience. If you’ve been on the fence, let our past audience convince you to secure your spot for a night of fright, tricks, and treats!
Why the Show Works
We set out to create compelling, high-caliber storytelling, and the response confirmed it. This show isn’t just reciting history; it’s about crafting a narrative that sticks with you long after you leave The Hidden Jewel Box Theater, a secret theater hidden inside Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Here is a glimpse of what audience members said about the last installment:
🗣️ Testimonial 1: “From the moment I stepped in through the secret door to the moment I left through ANOTHER secret door, this was the best storytelling I’ve ever seen in NYC!”
🗣️ Testimonial 2: “I haven’t been this entertained and educated at the same time in a long time. The perfect New York night out—NYC’s Secrets & Lies is a true hidden gem of the city’s indie arts scene.”
🗣️ Testimonial 3: “A masterclass in stage presence. The performers brought every secret to life and I had no idea which stories were true and which was the lie! I bought tickets for the next show before I left the theater.”
From Nature to Ghosts
Image created by Christa Avampato
The same dedication to research, quality performance, and compelling narrative that wowed the audience last month is now being turned towards the city’s darker corners.
For NYC’s Secrets & Lies – Ghost Stories on Tuesday, October 28th at 8pm, we’re diving deep into the true hauntings and the unsettling history that makes New York one of the spookiest places on earth. Expect to hear real, unsettling stories about:
The notorious ghosts of Greenwich Village’s oldest theaters.
The dark family secrets buried beneath modern skyscrapers.
The lingering spirits tied to a famous Manhattan landmark.
And one big lie! This is an intimate, spine-tingling historical journey just three days before Halloween. Our show is your perfect way to connect with the ghosts of New York’s past. Come early when the doors open at 7:30pm to enjoy some treats, meet the storytellers, and explore The Hidden Jewel Box Theater before it closes and disappears forever!
Space at The Hidden Jewel Box Theater is extremely limited for this one-night-only event. With the clock ticking down to October 28th, tickets are selling fast thanks to the buzz from our last show. Don’t wait to secure your spot!
PS – Keep following our social channels for behind-the-scenes looks at the chilling research for the Ghost Stories show! You can follow me on Instagram and Threads at @christarosenyc and you can follow the show on Instagram at @nycsecretsandlies.
And when you’re all done with your pumpkins, don’t throw them in the trash. Instead, treat the wildlife in your gardens and local woods who can make very good use of them.
Happy Halloween from me and my little caped crusader! You can vote for me and Phineas here for his daycare Halloween costume contest here: https://woobox.com/9rtqyk/gallery/519moZsOBzg
I am so excited to let you know that The Breaking Bread Podcast launches today. Check out my interview with the Capital Area Food Bank and learn about all of the incredible work they do to support 444 food-based organizations in the D.C. area who in turn help hundreds of thousands of our neighbors every year who face food insecurity on a daily basis. It’s an inspiring story about food as a social justice issue, the fight to end hunger, and our ability to help our city grow stronger and healthier together.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween in DC with equal amounts of fright and art, check out Mockingbird Hill. Their 3rd annual A Toast to Poe will happen in partnership with We Happy Few Productions’s staged reading of Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado. What could be better than a Halloween filled with tributes to the king of macabre? I hope you’ll join me. The more the merrier, or is it the more the scarier?!
Christa Avampato 