The Twenty-Sided Tavern is a funny, lively, and very interactive theater experience based on the game Dungeons & Dragons that was first published in 1974 and soared in popularity in the 1980s. And thanks to its devoted following, the fantasy role playing game that takes its players on epic journeys through multiple worlds is still popular today and has countless versions available. In fact, the game has even developed its own culture – thus, the Adventurers. Nerd heaven indeed.
But alas, I am one of the people who never played Dungeons & Dragons and wondered if The Twenty-Sided Tavern would be enjoyable to me or even comprehensible given the complexity of the rules. Well, as an outsider, I am happy to say that even though I didn’t have the thrills that most of the diehard D&D fans in the audience clearly had throughout the night with every roll of the die, I did find myself caught up in the excitement and was able to catch most of the great improv humor that cast member/creators were putting out.
Thanks to Gamiotics software that combines with live theater, audience members are summoned to roll the die and/or choose a character either of which can change the direction of the show. The play, co-created by Sarah Davis Reynolds and David Andrew Greener Laws (DAGL), brilliantly (and often hilariously) takes audience members on various voyages based on audience participation. The fact that the show is different every night definitely adds to its drama, and I love that show goers are encouraged to keep their smart phones on to vote to figure out word puzzles and play along with the cast!
Head writer DAGL has along with Reynolds come up with an idea that has met its time to blossom. That idea is now manifested on Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse Stage.
Reynolds and DAGL not only created this funny production, but they also participate as key players on the stage – Reynolds as the Tavern Keeper and the latter as the Gamemaster. DAGL is extremely funny in his role as headmaster and really is the heartbeat of the entire show. He's got great comic timing and can riff with the audience without skipping a beat. The entire revolving cast has a good lively energy, some clearly a bit more experienced at comedic improv than others.
The well-designed set puts experienced gamers and curiosity-seekers like me right smack in the middle of a fantasy world, adding to the whole other realm experience. The glowing colorful digital backdrops lend to an inviting ambience that helps pull attendees into an adventure like none other.
Filled with riddles, puzzles and a sorcery and sword-laden adventure that is steered by audience participation, the production not only keeps one intrigued, but it also keeps one laughing and laughing and laughing. As one not at all familiar with the fantasy role playing game, The Twenty-Sided Tavern also offers a glimpse of the D&D phenomenon and why it has garnered so much appeal throughout the years.
By the end of the show, I truly understood what makes this game so fun and that is the experience of community and at the fun of self-expression and role playing combined with friendship and imagination. Dungeons & Dragons is all about being yourself and unapologetically showing all your wonderful nerdy sides – and The Twenty-Sided Tavern captures that so very well. Although this is not your usual theater experience and it is not a play per say with the usual scripted plotline and established characters, it is a unique and fast-moving night of wonderful entertainment that D&D enthusiasts will probably want to experience more than once.
Whether you are a seasoned D&D participant or someone who is familiar with the game’s name but has no idea what it is really about, this show is sure to entertain.
The Twenty-Sided Tavern is being performed at Broadway Playhouse through January 15th. For tickets and/or more show information, click here.
