If you're a fan of the popular Dungeons & Dragons game, you'll want to take a seat at the current theatrical production starring at The Broadway Playhouse in Chicago.
“Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern,” is a show filled with plenty of adventure, zaniness, jokes and an opportunity for audience members to interact with characters in the show. The production continues to Sept. 28 and will feature various guest stars throughout the run.
Other than being set in the Forgotten Realms where the Dungeon Master and Tavern Keeper act as emcees and set the show in motion, every performance of this show is different as it depends on the whims of the audience members to assist in choosing challenges and making various decisions.
With the use of your phone, theater goers help take part in the production. A sticker in your program lets you know what character you'll be associated with and once you scan a QR code you're allowed to participate in directing how challenges will proceed, make choices about outcomes and determine how the story will progress along. The process of using one's phone to interact within this play is made possible by Gamiotics, a software company offering special tools for audience engagement and interaction. David Carpenter, who is the executive producer and creator of “The Twenty-Sided Tavern” is also the founder and CEO of Gamiotics.
If you've never played D & D and don't know much about it, but are there for the interactive nature of this production you'll not only enjoy what you're called to do by phone but you may also have the chance to join the actors on stage for certain challenges and segments.
During a recent performance, audience members laughed often and particularly enjoyed the segments where fellow fans took part.
Starring in “Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern” are Conner Marx, Alex Stompoly, Will Champion, RJ Christian, Jasmin Malave, Madelyn Murphy, R. Alex Murray, Diego Salinas and Cassidy Sledge.
Special guest stars scheduled to appear in the show are Aabria Iyenger through Sept. 7; voice over artist Erika Ishii, who will play “Might,” from Sept. 9 to 14; and actor/writer/director Damen Haas on Sept 16. Haas will also portray “Might” Sept. 17 to 21.
FYI: “Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern” runs to Sept. 28 at Broadway in Chicago's Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Tickets are $50 to $70. Visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.