Shakespeare with a Twist

By James Clark.

Continuing its wildly popular run, Off-Broadway's Drunk Shakespeare is guaranteed to make any night this holiday season intoxicatingly fun.

Directed by David Hudson and produced by Scott Griffin, Drunk Shakespeare features a group of rotating actors (Alison Wien, Brandon Carter, Caitlin Morris, Josh Hyman, Josh Sauerman, Julia Giolzetti, Michael Amendola, Monique Sanchez, Tim Haber, Whit Leyenberger, and Adam Thomas Smith) who are at once classically-trained and completely inebriated. Each night, one of these performers downs at least five shots of whiskey before performing a Shakespeare play with the remaining (and sober) cast members. To up the ante, on Friday and Saturday nights a late show features a second performance by said whiskey drinker—meaning more drinking and more unexpected hilarity.

This drunken spontaneity occurs in The Lounge, a cozy hidden venue in the Theater District with over 9,000 books covering the walls, allowing audience members to bring a book and take one home. The middle of the space is a beautiful red stage entirely made up of books, and there's a bar built into an 11-foot bookcase. This is the perfect must-see place to bring someone special for a holiday night out.

For those audience members looking for an extra-special (and sauced) evening, for $500 an audience member can become king of the night. The king receives a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, handmade chocolates, caviar, two premium cocktails, and executive decision-making powers throughout the performance. If someone hasn't purchased this royal package by the time the show begins, they auction it off to the highest bidder.

With its completely unique brand of entertainment, an anything-can-happen vibe, and actors so talented Shakespeare himself would approve, this show is the perfect choice for a carefree and laughter-filled evening, and is a great idea for a holiday date night. Instead of choosing between being cultured and being hammered, here you get a little bit of both.

(FYI: The Lounge does not condone excessive drinking, and follows the health of their actors throughout the performance.)
For more information: drunkshakespeare.com