Following its successful run of Drunk Dracula, the Drunk Shakespeare Society is back for another limited-run holiday show at the Rose Theater. An offbeat take on Charles Dickens’ beloved tale, Drunk Christmas Carol retells the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge with a booze infused twist. The 90-minute performance features raunchy comedy, tongue-in-cheek references to other Christmas classics, puppetry and a dance number grand finale.
As the evening unfolds, the host takes center stage to reveal which member of the troupe will be the “drunk actor” for the night. With the short straw pulled, the designated player is poured five shots of their choosing.
A volunteer from the audience is called up to share the first drink to prove the liquor is real before the show begins in earnest. The remaining cast valiantly attempts to keep the story on track as Scrooge is confronted with the true meaning of Christmas.
Two special guests have the chance to get in on the mischief. As North Pole Royalty, these VIPs can interrupt a scene to test the drunk actor’s sobriety twice during the production.
Pass or fail, the royals ultimately decide if the performer needs another dose of liquid courage. Beyond adding to the chaos, the North Pole Royalty sit upon handcrafted thrones, sip champagne and nosh on luxurious treats.
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But the finer things are not reserved exclusively for the blue bloods. Everyone in the audience can sip on holiday-inspired cocktails crafted exclusively for the Phoenix run — a perfect pairing with the show’s irreverent humor.
Each performance features a different drunk actor, meaning no two will play out exactly the same. Grab tickets while you can — Drunk Christmas Carol runs through Dec. 21.
Follow Drunk Shakespeare on Instagram @drunkshakespeare.
