We’re in a golden age for Dungeons & Dragons live shows.
Back in April, Dropout’s Dimension 20 sold out Madison Square Garden — no surprise to those familiar with the show’s devoted fanbase, but still unprecedented.
Fellow actual-plays Critical Role and The Adventure Zone also boast popular casts and successful live shows.
Alongside these properties, which have built up followings around beloved characters and dramatic arcs, a different kind of D&D show premiered off-Broadway last month. It’s The Twenty-Sided Tavern, which is part D&D one-shot, part improv, and part interactive theater.
Using their phones to access an integrated website throughout the show, the audience chooses which three characters will go on an adventure during a given performance, then influences the characters’ choices along the way.
All of this is made possible with the invisible influence of a Dungeon Master (David Andrew Laws, or DAGL), and a Tavern-Keeper (Sarah Davis Reynolds). The two co-created the show, alongside producer David Carpenter. Carpenter is also responsible for Gamiotics, the software that powers the show’s interactivity.
My colleague Clayton and I had a lot of fun at the show — check out the video above to see our experience at the Twenty-Sided Tavern. And if you need tickets, head to the show’s site, where you can even roll a d20 to have seats selected for you.
