Beertown – Location, Tickets, Reviews
Beertown, created by the theater ensemble dog and pony dc, is an interactive theatrical event. It arrives in New York at 59E59 Theaters after a popular run in Washington, DC.
The premise is as follows: Audience members are citizens of Beertown — Beertonians — and they gather to celebrate the opening of the town’s official time capsule on its 20th Quinquennial Time Capsule Day. Upon arrival, Mayor Soch of Beertown welcomes the audience members — sorry, citizens — and each person receives a T-shirt (which is yours to keep) and a name tag.
The event starts with a dessert potluck (it would be nice if you bring something to share, but it’s not mandatory) and unfolds with a celebratory ceremony, vignettes recounting the town’s history, and instructions for voting on what objects should go into the time capsule, in order to represent the unique identity of all Beertonians, when it is resealed.
Maxamoo
The Beertown performance starts before you realize it. There’s no traditional lowering of the lights; you put on a name tag and the performance is underway. It’s time to take the Beertown oath, sing the Beertown Hymn, debate, vote, and become a genuine Beertonian.
Beertown’s mild sarcasm, comic flair, and skits that are part-scripted and part-improv are all designed to prompt a conversation with the audience about definitions of self and community. A large portion of the show is shaped by interaction with the audience and therefore it will vary performance to performance but it does not feel haphazard. Theater company, dog and pony dc, has clearly structured this production with care and devised it with compassion. It is entertaining and for us evoked fond communal memories.
If you are on the hunt for an innovative theater experience, Beertown is a good pick.
Public Opinion
The audience loved the performance we saw. They actively participated in the debate and lingered after the show to talk with the cast.
Fans of Beertown are vocal on Twitter. Recent tweets: @SuperMarcKyo: @dogandponydc Immersive work that’s mighty fine. I’m a Beertonian! #Beertown #59E59; @CatsPolitics: Dear @59E59 & @dogandponydc, thank you for bringing me to @CityOfBeertown today. I didn’t want to leave! #theatre #NYC; @franglophonic: @CityofBeertown Great quinquennial tonight! See you at the public forum on February 24! #Prop6 #Beertown @59E59 @dogandponydc @vivalavanway; @solshine_787: saw @dogandponydc BEERTOWN and had a blast. If you are in nyc, please see it! #theaterisaweome
Have you seen Beertown? What did you think? Comment below or tweet to us at @Maxamoo.
Critics’ Reviews
TheaterMania
An interactive theater piece about memory, from theater troupe dog & pony dc, stirs the soul at 59E59 Theaters.
TICKETS
$25.00 (click here for tickets)
DATES
Performances through February 16, 2014
LOCATION
59E59 Theaters
59 East 59th Street
New York City
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RUNNING TIME
2 hour and 10 minutes, one intermission
CAST & CREW
(partial list)
Devised by dog & pony dc
Directed by Rachel Grossman
Featuring Wyckham Avery, Max Freedman, Rachel Grossman, Colin Hovde, J. Argyl Plath, Elaine Yuko Qualter, Jon Reynolds, Yasmin Tuazon, Melanie Harker