THE BASICS: Drunk Theatre Buffalo Presents: Drunk Murder Mystery at The Attic At Mr. Goodbar | 1110 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222 — Sundays at 3PM | Tuesdays at 8PM. August: 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th, 27th, September: 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th. The Bar Opens and Seating Begins One Hour Before The Performance. Tickets here.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: In the tradition of Drunk Theatre at other major cities including LA and London, Drunk Theatre Buffalo invites the audience to drink along with the actors onstage. The goal of the company is to bring creative and inventive theatre to Buffalo. Audience members are told to “drink and theatre responsibly”and, from what I have seen, they do. In addition to attending this year’s production, I attended Drunk Wizard of Oz last year and no one at either performance — onstage or off — got out of hand.
RUNTIME: about one hour and 50 minutes with one intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION: For the last several years, Drunk Theatre Buffalo has presented shows at The Alleyway and Mr. Goodbar and other places around town – including Drunk Peter Pan and Drunk Wizard of Oz. This summer, the theme is murder mysteries and the cast of characters includes a surfeit of sleuths!
The original script by Matthew Rittler and Michael Wells referenced the film Clue in many ways – making this is a parody of a parody. It’s an imaginative Chinese box – there is a mystery play inside a mystery play inside a mystery play. There are plenty of laughs, and sometimes things get bawdy. This is for adults only. Interestingly, there is less emphasis on encouraging the audience members to drink than there was in last year’s show.
This production is tighter than last year’s Wizard of Oz – thanks to director Alexandria Watts and producer Emily Glick. However, the scene in Act 2 where things unwittingly fell apart due to a prop malfunction was the highlight of the performance that I saw. But this was in keeping with the Drunk Theatre style which invites improv, asides, audience participation and the unexpected happening onstage and offstage.
Publicity for this show doesn’t state the names of the characters, so I am going to respect that and not name the characters either (even the two characters who are in public domain!). Suffice to say, you will recognize the detectives and enjoy the consistently zany, over-the-top performances by the enthusiastic cast. My favorites were Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci — pert and self-confident and gamely giving a great performance even with her leg in a cast and Pamela Rose Mangus who would be perfectly believable casting in her role in a legit production of an Agatha Christie play.
The atmosphere is merry and the bar is open throughout the evening. You can purchase snacks, too, and everyone gets a free shot. For a different kind of theatre experience that is a lot of fun, check out Drunk Theatre Buffalo.
HERD OF BUFFALO RATING SYSTEM
FIVE BUFFALO: Universal Appeal! This production is pure theatrical magic – a crowd-pleaser. No prior theatre experience is necessary. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy or a heartwarming drama, this show offers an unforgettable shared experience. You’ll laugh, be touched, or amazed (depending on the genre). Grab your tickets before they disappear!
FOUR BUFFALO: Highly Recommended! This production delivers high-quality entertainment. It may have a strong script and stellar performances. While it might not be for everyone, theatre fans and those interested in the style, themes, or genre are sure to be delighted. Gather your friends or grab a date – you won’t be disappointed you went!
THREE BUFFALO: A Solid Night Out! This solid production and enjoyable evening at the theater. It’s a strong choice for a night out. Roam over and check it out if you can!
TWO BUFFALO: Intriguing! This production may not appeal to all tastes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to blaze your own theatrical trail, this production offers a unique experience. While it may have some minor imperfections, if the genre, themes, and style align with your interests you should defintely attend!
ONE BUFFALO: If you love Theatre…Although it won’t resonate with everyone, it offers a challenging and stimulating experience. Traditional theatergoers might find it difficult to follow. While it will undoubtedly spark conversation, consider the genre, themes, and style before attending.
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