The Office Experience Debuts

Chicago IL

14 October, 2021

8:08 AM

Description

Yesterday, I attended a special Media Preview for The Office Experience, an incredible celebration of the popular television show. Created by Superfly X and Universal Live Entertainment in consultation with The Office's U.S. creator Greg Daniels, The Office Experience converted 17 rooms on two floors of The Shops at North Bridge on the Magnificent Mile into the world of The Office. The Office Experience follows the success of the Friends Experience. Several months ago, when I interviewed Jonathan Mayers, founder and CEO, Superfly X, about The Friends Experience, he said they had big plans for future exhibits. The Office Experience far exceeded my hopes and expectations. While the Friends Experience had really cool props and a few set recreations, The Office Experience was like stepping on the actual real set of The Office. The tour starts at Scranton Business Park, complete with Dwight Shrute's car parked in his usual spot. From there, you step right into Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. There's Michael's office, the cafeteria, the stock room, the confession area and every imaginable part of the set. Be prepared for a lot of great photo opportunities. Take a picture sitting at Michael's desk, at Pam and Jim's wedding chapel, driving a forklift, spilling the chili and at many other iconic spots. There are also a bunch of interactive features. Pick up a beet on the Beets For Sale sign and hear a funny saying. Answer a desk phone and listen to funny messages. Play Dunderball at a desk. Have a game of Hate Ball and don't worry about Angela hating you for it. The Office Experience is a very "hands on" tour. Keep your eyes open and look everywhere. There is such an attention to detail. Being a probing reporter, I checked the glue bottles on the shelves and was surprised to find they were actual bottles of glue. Nothing is faked here. Every detail , down to post-it notes on walls, is meticulously recreated to make this incredibly realistic. The Office Experience was awesome. As I progressed through the tour, so many hilarious memories came back. I now want to binge-watch the show again. Before you leave, stop at the gift shop, which has the usual swag plus some surprises like actual reams of Dunder Mifflin paper. Grab a couple glasses for your favorite beverage which you will want to drink while you binge-watch the show when you get home. The tour is billed as 60-90 minutes, but be prepared to want to return, because there are so many things to see. Every time I looked around, I saw things I had missed. The Office Experience runs in Chicago through January 17.