Overheard at Joe’s

See it if You enjoy participating in a lively discussion. This felt more like a guided discussion than theatre so you get more when you speak up.

Don't see it if You don’t like immersive theatre or participation.

See it if you want to be part of a conversation in a bar w/strangers and discuss mostly non-cerebral ideas concerning daily life in the city.

Don't see it if you don't want to participate. [Unlike any immersive show I know, this one's completely dependant on audience interest & involvement.]

Also The night I went, most of the audience was involved, engaged and interesting. But I can see how this show could be a dud if the audience is passive or obnoxious or uninteresting. The "staged" actors' storylines were actually the least interesting aspects of the evening, although some of them led to fun topics among the crowd. I wish the bartender/moderator would let some of the conversations progress organically instead of interrupting them to get back to the scripted stories.

The night I went, Michelle Shocked performed, which was a fun treat.

Note: There are Happy Hour specials throughout the entire performance. I recommend trying the McHale's beers for $5.... Read more Read less

See it if You like the idea of bar conversation & meeting a variety of characters. You like immersive theatre. You want to hear great music.

Don't see it if You prefer more contemporary immersive theatre: this felt like Tony & Tina. You want natural interactions: this was stilted & over-stagy.

Also The show description says it wants to encourage conversation. The set-ups & audience questions didn't do that. The "bartender" asked the same question to audience members & there was little response to the answers. The actors had very shallow character development & were all old-fashioned NY "types". They talked more to the other actors than the audience. Overall, it was a disappointment.... Read more Read less

See it if want chance 2 be part of discussion of ideas, want 2 share, get 2 drink in amiable atmosphere, want some meaning in your entertainment

Don't see it if don't want 2 share, believe barrooms R 4 drinking only, expect performers 2 do all work, audience participation scares U,

See it if you enjoy immersing and participating in improvisational theatre and don’t mind plotless interactions, disjointed, loose end conversations

Don't see it if you prefer scripted plots, character arcs, audible dialog, traditional staging, or musicals/larger casts, and less audience participation

See it if You talk to your local bartender and seek his advice

Don't see it if Aimless conversation bores you

See it if want to sit at the bar and grab some drinks specials while some conversations you may not care about go on behind you. If you like therapy.

Don't see it if you are expecting something funny and real improv. They rely on the audience too much, and the actors jokes were not funny.

Also Maybe it was that night that I saw it, but the 2 story lines they chose I didn't relate too and didn't think anything about it was funny. 45 minutes talking about how a guy who got stood up by his bf is not comedy. It was a therapy session, with no basis of logic or truth.
The show wants audience participation, but if that's case they better have very strong topics that are funny. The other ones was about a job interview and once again not funny. Some audience members just wanted to hear themselves speak so they would chirp in. They use a musical guest to break up the moments of awkwardness, but I would have preferred they played the radio, didn't find the musician very entertaining. Hopefully each night and audience is better, but show needs work.... Read more Read less

See it if you like to be part of the "action" and like to express your opinions in front of strangers.

Don't see it if you like to passively enjoy your theater.

Also Drink specials!

See it if Fun to be in immersive experience and I like improv. Good for a change of pace and something new. Musical performer Shelly was entertaining

Don't see it if You have no patience for an impromptu story evolving and don’t want to hear from fellow audience members. This group will improve over time.

See it if you like uninteresting people saying uninteresting things--bar culture fascinates you.

Don't see it if you want drama, intelligence, plot,

See it if You like to sit in a bar&talk to other people on different topics (religion, family, insecurities etc). Audience Interaction makes it unique

Don't see it if You do not want put on the spot(audience participation is encouraged,not forced), you do not like bar setting,religious discussion offends u

See it if you want to experience something different and have an interest in participating in (or observing) what's really a facilitated conversation.

Don't see it if you want a standard show. The success of this concept is completely reliant on those who participate, and their level/depth of engagement.

See it if you like engaging in dialogue with strangers in a beautiful bar setting.

Don't see it if you are looking for a scripted evening or even improv.

Also It is an open forum whose only rules are to be civil. Discussions roam around all topics conceivable. It is up to the customers to keep the conversation flowing and at my evening they did. Immigration, racism, too much texting, etc., etc. Great staff, friendly servers, food and drink. What's not to like?... Read more Read less

See it if You want to be immersed in an audience interactive event. Subject matter is up in the air. An hour and a half of precious wasted time.

Don't see it if You are not into audience interactive shows!

See it if you like awkward comedy that plays on people's insecurities, overstated. You like the platonic ideal of bar conversations.

Don't see it if you'd like the conversation to be particularly interesting or deep. Actor-improved spontaneous group conversation sounds great. This isn't.

See it if Actors spotted around bar, interspersed with audience. Tries for free-wheeling bar talk, with actors seeding themes, creating conflict, etc.

Don't see it if Full of sound and fury. Some bright people, but subjects/characters of limited interest, awkward rants, uneven acting, goes nowhere.

See it if Ok with interactive performance. Ok with foul language without any context. Ok with public rap session that trivializes human experiences

Don't see it if Have any sense of propriety.

See it if You like mostly improvised shows in a casual bar setting. Especially if you enjoy participating in the performance.

Don't see it if You like a structured story without audience participation.

See it if you really really enjoy improv, want to be involved, and don't mind a meandering melancholic evening at a bar

Don't see it if you want a traditional theatre piece, or have a low tolerance for mid-level improv, it feels like being back in class

See it if You like shows presented in non traditional venues, involving the audience, with great music.

Don't see it if You want a Broadway spectacle.

See it if you're up for cheap drinks at a friendly bar. But don't expect much from the show. Embedded actors are obvious, the "conversation" forced.

Don't see it if you have no interest in a beer or a drink because without that there is no reason to attend this performance.

Also The oddball array of actors serving as conversation starters just doesn't work to spark dialog among strangers. Most guests don't want to engage spontaneously in topics they don't care about. Fortunately, the bartender (is he really the owner?) doesn't put anyone on the spot. Sadly, the musician at this particular show was equally uninspired and uninspiring.... Read more Read less

See it if you want to pay to feel like you are sitting in a bar talking to people you would never otherwise talk to or forced to people watch.

Don't see it if you don't like audience participation

Also The show depends on the audience. I found it a bit boring and slow. I felt like I had gone to a bar and was forced to listen to other people's conversation. Even the staged actors weren't that engaging.... Read more Read less

See it if You are a fan of amateur "therapy", and inter-active, pseudo -psychological performances. The best talkers were not the over the top plants.

Don't see it if You want a sharp, comic, improvisational show.

Also I enjoyed discovering McHales for dinner, drinks before a Broadway play!... Read more Read less

See it if you want to engage with ordinary people about relatively ordinary things in a warm, funny atmosphere. Unexpectedly moving. Great music too!

Don't see it if you want a conventional plot in a conventional setting. There's a lot of humanity to be found here, but not a lot narrative drive.

Also I caught the first preview and the cast are still finding their feet, but what a clever, unconventional evening. I'd have said NYC already had pretty well every variation of theater but this really is different. Your mileage may vary depending on the audience, a lot is done with interaction, but I'll be fascinated to return and see it again as I suspect it'll be an altogether different show.... Read more Read less

See it if If you think talking to strangers, most of whom are ringers, about topics only a college freshman might find profound this is a show for you

Don't see it if If you like genuine spontaneity or intelligent discussions about serious issues. You won’t find it here. Awkward and forced interaction.