In a decaying Victorian hat shop, a reclusive milliner begins to unravel into madness after a series of strange visits—driven by grief, obsession, and the poisoned whispers of his father’s legacy.
The Last Hat is a one-act ensemble horror play written by Chris Levine. Set in a once-thriving Victorian hat shop, the story follows a quiet and eccentric hatter whose life begins to spiral following visits from a grieving old client, a mischievous boy, and a curious young woman named Eliza.
What begins as a strange but tender connection with her quickly fractures as hallucinations, mercury-induced madness, and the weight of his father’s gruesome legacy consume him. With haunting imagery, dark humor, and stylized horror, the play weaves obsession, craftsmanship, and unrequited love into a final act of beauty and brutality that no one will forget.
The Last Hat is directed by Megan Ripchik, produced by Erica Tenaglia. Proceeds support the Santa Monica Playhouse Save the Main Stage Benefit Campaign. Rated 18+
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