The Imbible: A Spirited History of Drinking
About the show
Playing in an authentic New York speakeasy, 'The Imbible' sweeps audiences along a 10,000-year journey through history accompanied by craft cocktails and the vocal stylings of The Backwaiters a cappella group. More…
Sit back and enjoy the music and drinks while Anthony holds forth on the history and science behind alcoholic beverages, traces their economic and political impact on our cultural development, conducts live demonstrations of brewing beer and distilling spirits, and – like any good bartender – keeps his guests laughing throughout the night! Combining Anthony’s encyclopedic knowledge of beverage history and decades of bartending experience with his skills as a storyteller and entertainer, 'The Imbible' treats audiences to a completely original evening of immersive theatre.
"The multi-tasking performers sang the first song while handing out trays of beer to every person watching. I was honestly amazed. I have a hard time doing each of those things individually, I highly doubt I would be capable of combining them, but there they were, doing it with what appeared to be ease and enjoyment. Each performer was both entertaining and impressive...'The Imbible' was the perfect concoction of entertainment, education, and booze." Full Review
"By infusing Anthony’s knowledge of the cocktail, his charming personality, and an in-depth but also hilarious look at the history of alcohol, with music and a lighthearted, vaudevillian vibe, 'The Imbible' becomes a singularly unique, immersive theater experience that you will not want to miss. Plus: getting wasted is included in the price of the show!...Trust me that you will leave the Green Room educated, entertained, and buzzing with spirit!" Full Review
“May be just about the best deal in New York City...Captivates audiences with an engagingly immersive theatre experience...Creator and star Anthony Caporale takes over twenty years bartending experience to his role...and it’s clear from his enthralling performance and comprehensive knowledge of all things alcohol that Caporale’s insider scoop is advantageous. Multi-talented soprano, director, and co-producer Nicole DiMattei shines just as brightly as Caporale.” Full Review
"The drinks are delicious, and the show is wildly entertaining, thus making the 'The Imbible‘s' value much higher than your average night at a city bar...There is an authenticity to Caporale and his crew that is truly genuine and makes the show even better...Great stories, tremendous entertainment, laugh-out-loud comedy, and delicious drinks, 'The Imbible' is a can’t-miss show for funseekers in NYC." Full Review
“Filled with fun facts, a cappella songs, lots of laughs, and three complimentary thematically related drinks. And then lots more laughs…The wildly entertaining and affable Caporale leads us on a 10,000-year international journey…Equal parts smart and silly…From the drunkenness of Noah to the repeal of Prohibition, Caporale informs and charms with his comfortable direct-address style, formidable expertise, and inventive storytelling through words, imagery, and song.” Full Review
"Written by and starting in this gem is bartender Caporale. One can sense his love of the craft from the very beginning...His history and chemistry lesson spans the centuries highlighting the ups and downs and origins of our favorite libation...Infused with barbershop quartet melodies and zippy little ditties about the subject matter, this show can't fail to entertain...If you're interested in booze and like to be served drinks during a show, take in an evening with the delightful cast." Full Review
"'The Imbible' is a fantastic Off Broadway show which fast tracks through the ages of man, namely ten thousand years of; exploration, discovery and survival...Caporale's performance is the most dynamic history class you will take, be sure to pay attention as audience participate is encouraged, especially as you get in spirit." Full Review
"'The Imbible' is more than just drunk theater. It's educational theater at its finest...It's simultaneously entertaining and educational...As a writer, Caporale brings a plethora of passion and knowledge into his production, bringing the audience on a ride like no other. But the piece occasionally gets bogged down by being a few steps ahead of the slightly tipsy crowd. Though, those who are enthralled by that fact will certainly get what they came for." Full Review
"In a zippy and informative 100 minutes or so, Caporale and Co. explain how primitive man must have stumbled across beer and how this must have made the Neolithic dance floor a sprightlier place...The quartet rework traditional melodies with larkish alcohol-related lyrics, act out skits, and somehow deliver at relevant points a shandy, a gin and tonic, and an Old Fashioned...'The Imbible' is chatty and loose, full of silly campus-comedy touches." Full Review
"An entertaining evening...An in-depth review of the 10,000-year history of alcohol...This is the kind of audience participation I can agree to...I felt educated and nearly intoxicated as the evening progressed....Immersive theater at its finest. If you’re trying to decide 'shall we go to a show tonight, or just get a drink' no compromising needed here." Full Review
for a previous production "Before you think that this show is nothing more than a dry lecture, I have to stress just how much fun a show 'The Imbible' is. Anthony Caporale is an excellent host, exactly the kind of raconteur that you want across from you at the bar. His stories are meandering without being vague, funny without being pithy, and full of enough references that you feel hip..I highly recommend that you take a trip down for what promises to be a most informative and entertaining evening." Full Review
for a previous production "As we travel through time with Caporale and his four talented a cappella cohorts, we are treated to song, and dance, and even liberal samplings of alcohol at different stages of development and evolution...'The Imbible' is educational and rip-roaring funny, with a talented and generous dose of song and dance, and three free drinks." Full Review
for a previous production "Theater is best when it both entertains and educates. If you're very lucky, it also gets you a little drunk. 'The Imbible: A Spirited History of Drinking,' part of the 2014 New York Fringe Festival, succeeds on all three counts...Caporale wets your appetite (literally) with silly a capella music, wry comedy and yes, free drinks for the audience (one of the few examples in off-Broadway theater where the second act is more fun than the first)." Full Review
for a previous production "It's innovative, quirky, entertaining—and you're served free alcohol...Caporle peppers his stories with whimsical asides and anachronistic illustrations, such as a cavewoman busting out with an umbrella when it starts to rain...Over the course of the 90-minute production, you're served three drinks that function as tangible examples of Caporle's subject matter. But with or without the alcohol, 'The Imbible' is an intoxicating pleasure." Full Review
for a previous production "A factual journey of drinking throughout history. A solo show, but with backup singers. Anthony Caporale plays The Bartender in this amazing history lesson. Actually, it's more like a history class combined with a chemistry lesson that just happens to take place during music class...The tales he spins are all based in facts -- many of which I was not aware of -- and keep you yearning for more." Full Review
for a previous production "You gotta have a gimmick, and if that gimmick involves loosening up a crowd with a few potent potables, then so be it. In Manhattan, three drinks for an $18 ticket is fair enough. But when they come served with four-part harmonies, the scientific exploration of distillation, and an homage to Gloria Gaynor, the resulting deal is one of the best bets for a fun and fact-filled outing at this year’s New York International Fringe Festival...The show itself is a warm, light and often charming conc... Full Review
for a previous production "They all keep the show moving quickly and provide lots of visual interest. This show never turns into a dry lecture!...We hear a lot about Prohibition in American history, but the way it came about and then how the liquor industry came out of it afterwards was fascinating...'The Imbible' is a brisk and entertaining piece that will provide you with plenty of bar trivia, and really, who doesn't need more of that?" Full Review
for a previous production "The show is both educational and entertaining. Mixing whimsy and information, Caporale makes the story of our relationship with alcohol remarkably compelling. And the show's lessons can be washed down with complimentary, thematically appropriate beverages...A must-see for anyone who enjoys free booze, which is probably nearly everyone." Full Review
See it if Youre into trivia
Don't see it if Youre an alcoholic
See it if If you like to drink and learn at the same time. Three drinks are included in the price and the show does do the history of drinking.
Don't see it if If don't like drinking or bars as it does take place in the bar of the theatre.
See it if you want to see one of the best Off Broadway shows in a real speakeasy!
Don't see it if you don't or can't drink alcohol.
See it if Like history and alcohol and music
Don't see it if You are an dry alcoholic
See it if You enjoy history, drinking, science, drinking, singing quartets, drinking. There's actual science in a room filled with literal history.
Don't see it if Don't like delicious mixed drinks or cocktails (there's a difference!), or if you hate learning things whilst being throughly entertained.
See it if you love history, science, or drinking. Cast is fantastic. Great for a date night. Don't miss this unique and fun show, worth every penny!
Don't see it if you don't drink, alcohol is served. This narrative is more like an episode of Radiolab than a classic story (I liked this aspect though)
See it if You want to have a fun experience with cocktails.
Don't see it if You do not like to drink cocktails.
See it if You are looking for a good time, great voices, funny stories, craft drinks and a fun way to learn/experience alochol in a historic speakeasy
Don't see it if You don't like intimate space and immersive entertainment.
See it if You're interested in a quirky musical comedy told in the form of a science lesson with 3 drinks made live.
Don't see it if You dislike alcohol, don't drink, dislike small theaters, don't like somewhat interactive shows.
See it if you like comedies
Don't see it if you don't like comedies
See it if You would enjoy a great history lesson on the development of alcohol while enjoying tasting along the way
Don't see it if You have no interest in learning while being entertained and drinking at the same time
See it if You enjoy a lighthearted good time in a speakeasy learning interesting facts on drinking. You enjoy alcoholic beverages -they pour 3 for you
Don't see it if You don't like speakeasy experience
See it if You'll enjoy the history of alcohol while having 3 alcoholic beverages and a big container of popcorn all included in the ticket price.
Don't see it if You don't drink alcohol.
See it if You enjoy "drinking" and enjoy being with a young crowd...definitely different and definitely worth the time and the $ beyond creative
Don't see it if If you don't enjoy a good drink and a good laugh...
See it if you enjoy drinking while you're on watching a show and being surprised by the singing abilities of the actors
Don't see it if You don't like shandy, old fashioned, and/or gin and tonic, and learning the history behind what you're drinking.
See it if You want a different kind of night out and love history as much as you love learning about mixed drinks.
Don't see it if You want a musical, hate drinking or hate history.
See it if You love history, science, and curious about the background of alcohol.
Don't see it if You don't want to be around anything that has to do with alcohol.
See it if A history of drinking with three free drinks included. A musical about alcohol.
Don't see it if You don’t like musicals or are offended by stereotypes. Or you do not drink
See it if you like some booze with your education, or education with your booze
Don't see it if you're against booze
See it if You like to laugh, drink and would enjoy the history of alcohol.
Don't see it if You dont drink, dont like musicals or dont like intimate low budget settings.
See it if You want to see a unique off broadway educational show. Thumbs up for this idea!
Don't see it if You don't like intimate type of show with beer!
See it if You enjoy drinking and want to see a creative musical and learn the history of drinking
Don't see it if You don't like alcohol or do not want to drink
See it if you love to be entertained, and learning something new!
Don't see it if like classic theater
See it if You enjoy a night out of drinking and learning about the history of imbibing
Don't see it if You have a problem with alcohol
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