The Last Hat – a World Premiere Ensemble Horror Play at Santa Monica Playhouse

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, who is also featured as The Mad Hatter. 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+

The beautiful Main Stage was destroyed in a water damage disaster in July 2024. Wonderful support is helping us make major inroads towards the rebuild - but we need your help! Please join Chris Levine, Megan Ripchik, Erica Tenaglia and their wonderful company of artists in bringing this iconic theatre back to life. Add a donation to your admission ticket or donate online at SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com.

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous contributions from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, and Playhouse PALS.

Saturday, October 25 at 8pm

Sunday, October 26 at 4pm