Overheard at Joe’s NYC Reviews and Tickets

66%

(58 Reviews)

Positive

41%

Mixed

43%

Negative

16%

Members say

Disappointing, Entertaining, Quirky, Slow, Ambitious

About the Show

Set in a local bar, in this interactive, improvisational, theatre experience the bartender and six improv actors embedded in the crowd create an evening of entertainment. Featuring a live musical guest at every performance.

A different show every night, the audience is guided through the evening by the bartender who facilitates a comic and topical conversation based on the makeup of the audience. Because any good bar thrives on the live performances of talented musicians, 'Joe’s' has featured unique musical performances during each show – culling from local talent as well as nationally recognized bands.

Member Reviews (58)

During previews

Fun, Clever, Thought-provoking, Entertaining, Insightful

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.

During previews

Immersive, Engaging, Interesting concept, Audience-dependant, Entertaining

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.] Read more

During previews

Ambitious, Dated, Great music, Indulgent, Slow

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. Read more

During previews

Conversation as entertainment, Still workin out kinks, Hopeful, More audience brings more takeaway, Audience participation experience

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,

During previews

Dizzying, Dated, Absorbing, Quirky, Cliched

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

During previews

Ambitious, Disappointing, Indulgent, Quirky, Overrated

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

Don't see it if Aimless conversation bores you

During previews

Disappointing, Dated, Cliched, Overrated, Slow

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. Read more

During previews

Quirky, Entertaining, Ambitious, Thought-provoking

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. Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

“Performance art is reinvented over a cheese-bacon burger or beer...The bar with striking colored windows and beautiful wooded portals never really heats up. In fact, the improvisation has a loose format; it’s is so light, you almost don’t know it’s happening. There are no strong gestures until Shelly peels out...Her stomp-through includes a diatribe against the government, looking like really cool performance art.”
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“Inventive...This interactive barroom chat of a show showcases a rotating roster of special musical guest...Although the dialogue sometimes feels forced or gets stalled, this talented crew of actors nudge it back on track and do their best to keep the drink-fueled conversation flowing...A fun and memorable night, something unique and surprising, and even with the unsettling tantrum that happened as the show strutted its way to the end, one that I had a hard time shaking off.”
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