The Fourth Walsh

Broadway in Chicago and Session Zero presents THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN.

Ale and well met, fellow adventurers!

In the spirit of Dungeons and Dragons, THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN is an interactive role-playing adventure. Created by David Andrew Greener Laws aka DAGL and Sarah Davis Reynolds with David Carpenter, the game is larger than life with oversized dice, a backdrop of projections, a quest master, a bartender and three players.Tonight’s Quest is “The Temple of the Crystal Cauldron” 

By clicking on the QR Code in the program, audience members begin their journey. A red, blue or green sticker assigns the audience member to their team. At my performance, the players leading the teams were Carlina Parker (fighter), Jack Corcoran (Mague) and Madelyn Murphy (Rogue). The audience votes on the personality for their team leader. Parker was a roller blader, Corcoran an unlicensed therapist and Murphy a cat burglar. Although all these characters added to the fun, Murphy licking and slinking around was over-the-top hysterical. 

DAGL has written the narrative. He also serves as an impressive quest master and plays multiple roles with various voices. DAGL regularly interacts with the audience. Through polling or screaming, attendees infuse their ideas into the storytelling. The ever-present Reynolds is the game designer. She is not only the wizard behind the electronic curtain, Reynolds is also the tavern keeper. She pushes shots and libations to keep the players merry.

This performance art game playing combines the digital and the physical. The audience is encouraged to ‘play on their phones’ and steer the journey. The element of chance drives the antics and the players to confront the challenge and get to the next level. The energetic ensemble run, jump, balance and even do push-ups. Sometimes volunteers join them onstage for a contest of dexterity. The combination of digital and physical elements make for a dynamic game.     

It’s time to play!! And based on last night’s opening night energy, Chicago is pumped for game night. The audience was a mixture of families, regular folk and a cast of characters. At least 25% of Friday night’s attendees wore their quest best! Elf ears, cloaks, walking sticks, tiaras… it was a mystical hodge-podge of heroes and heroines ready to win. THE TWENTY-SIDED TAVERN has opened for business just in time for holiday gatherings. Whether you dress up, drink down and play hard OR want to observe as a bystander in street clothes, it’s a unique, fun way to hang with your friends or colleagues.     

Running Time: Two hours and fifteen minutes includes an intermission

Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut

Created by David Andrew Greener Laws and Sarah Davis Reynolds with David Carpenter 

Written by David Andrew Greener Laws

Game designed by Sarah Davis Reynolds 

Wednesdays at 2pm and 7:30pm

Thursdays at 7:30pm

Fridays at 7:30pm 

Saturdays at 3:30pm and 8pm

Sundays at 2pm and 7:30pm  

Thru January 15th

For more information or tickets

Photography by Amy Boyle

For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago