‘The Office Experience’ in Toronto: You can sit at Michael’s desk, read Toby’s email and ponder Kevin’s spilled chili

For all of its managerial issues, the difficulty of trying to sell paper in an increasingly digital environment, and an office filled with co-workers who were a few baskets short of a picnic, there is nowhere I wanted to work more than Dunder Mifflin.

The fictional paper company in Scranton, Pa., featured in TV comedy “The Office” provided laugh after laugh after the show’s 2005 premiere and continued to do so for nine straight seasons.

If you’re like me and also dreamed of getting a job there, the next best thing has arrived. “The Office Experience” is an immersive and interactive celebration of the show. It offers the chance to check out set recreations and original props from the series.

The installation opens Friday at Yorkdale Shopping Centre, making Toronto only the third city it has reached so far (after Chicago and Washington, D.C.). It runs until June 4.

The Star was invited to get the first look at the exhibit and this Dwight Schrute fan couldn’t wait.

Meet the Team

After being welcomed by Dwight in an introductory video, the first room is an absolute delight. The “Meet the Team” area features a close-up look at original costumes from the show, including ones worn by Jenna Fischer (Pam), John Krasinski (Jim), Steve Carell (Michael) and Rainn Wilson (Dwight). You can also check out some of the Dundie trophies bestowed by boss Michael and learn more about the characters.

The actual office

The is where the magic really happened. The office. This recreated version of Dunder Mifflin looked exactly the same as it did in the series as far as I recall. The nostalgia factor was everywhere. Dwight’s bobblehead was proudly displayed on his desk and, if you took the encouragement to open his drawer, you could get a peek at his Jell-O-encased stapler. Most of the desk elements (including the stapler) are stuck in place to ensure over-anxious fans don’t get too over-anxious. But you can take home business cards with Dunder Mifflin employee names conveniently placed on each desk.

Each desk also features a voicemail from its associated character and these were a real treat to listen to. I also loved reading the half-written emails left on each computer screen with the one from Toby (Paul Lieberstein) complaining about Michael being particularly funny.

Stacy Moscatelli, the co-president and chief strategy officer of OGX (the company behind the experience), provided some insight into the exhibit’s attention to detail.

“We definitely rewatch everything and take notes,” she said. “NBCUniversal has a team that documents everything and we’re able to access that.”

Moscatelli said they also worked with Deedle-Dee Productions (the production company behind “The Office”) to ensure accuracy.

There will only ever be one Michael Scott

While it was fun to sit at Michael’s desk, it almost felt sacrilegious. No one could lead the way Steve Carell was able to. It was all there, from his character’s “World’s Best Boss” mug to his windup chattering teeth toy. Speaking of sacrilege, that’s how it felt when Michael left to start his own paper company in the show’s fifth season (a place you can also visit in “The Office Experience”).

Conference room comedy and chaos

From Michael’s suggestion of adding graphics to quarterly reports to “make them more fun” (storm clouds for bad quarters and fireworks for positive ones), to the boss wearing a purple bandana and assuming the role of “Prison Mike” after an employee said jail was better than working at Dunder Mifflin, the conference room holds a special place in the hearts of “Office” fans. Another bonus in this space is the chance to write your own confessional or to read one supplied.

Take a load off in the kitchen or break room

Highlights from the kitchen included seeing some of the staff’s personalized mugs and a replica goose, a throwback to the one Dwight drove over and brought into the office as a Christmas treat. At the back of the break room, there is a special table, noticeable for its bright red tablecloth and fine flatware. Starting to ring a bell? It’s the home of the Finer Things Club from the Season 4 episode in which Pam, Toby and Oscar start an exclusive book group that raises the ire of anyone who can’t join.

Spilling the deets about Kevin’s chili

I have long maintained that Kevin’s spill is the funniest scene in the show’s history. When Brian Baumgartner’s beloved character, Kevin Malone, dragged in a gigantic vat of his famous chili, it was only a matter of time before he and his delicious concoction took a tumble. I will never forget him trying to scoop the chili back into the pot using Dunder Mifflin paper.

Just between us

There are exclusives on the Toronto stop that are new to the tour (replacing Schrute Farms and Sumo Wrestling photo opps from other cities). Toronto has a special “Finer Things Club” bucket hat at the merch store. And if you can recall where Jim and Pam’s wedding took place (hint: there is a Canadian connection), you can also look forward to something special.

The experience behind the Experience

As for why “The Office” still means so much to so many people? Moscatelli said it best. “We all have been to an office. We all have colleagues who are quirky and weird, and who make the day both interesting and frustrating all at once. I think that relatability gives it that staying power.”

Murtz Jaffer is a Toronto-based Entertainment writer and a freelance contributor for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @murtzjaffer

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