Horse Head Theatre Co.'s Regional Premiere of THE JUDGMENT OF FOOLS Begins Tonight

Absurdities abound in 2016, so this fall Horse Head invites you to blow off some steam, knock back a few, and say what you really think.

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Hot on the heels of the close-quarters intensity of LIDLESS and following their award-winning immersive spectacle THE WHALE; OR, MOBY DICK, is proud to announce the regional premiere of THE JUDGMENT OF FOOLS, written by Houston's own Bernardo Cubría and directed by Philip Hays.

THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS is a debauched vaudevillian social experiment-a comedy like no other. Building on the time-honored tradition of bouffon (that's fancy French clown lingo for talking back to the audience), spectators will be polled, prodded and poked as a convocation of "Fools" ask them to flex their judging muscles. Like the court jesters of olde, but in Converse All-Stars, these Fools will descend on Houston to reflect the folly of the world. But they need your help to make sense of it all. They want your thoughts. They want your opinions. They want your emojis, your re-tweets, your "Likes."

You see, the audience is the star of this show. Although THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS is mostly scripted (we'd guess 80% most nights), these Fools will mine the moments of the show from audience interactions.

Have you ever want to talk back to a character, during a show? This is your chance.

Have you ever wanted to bust out a real conversation with the person next to you? Do it here.

Have you ever wanted to just stop a friggin' play in the middle of a scene? Here, you can!

Equipped with "The Megaphone of Justice" (yes, it's a thing), JUDGMENT audiences have the power to literally stop the show -- assuming your fellow audience members agree that the Fools have gone too far! If not, you're out of luck and may console yourself with a free, cheap-ass beer. So, you know, it's that kind of play.

For this production, Horse Head will set up shop in Houston's newest non-traditional venue, REC Room. REC Room's mission boasts a restriction-free environment where audiences are encouraged to grab a drink mid-scene, post social media images and commentary during the show and to make themselves at home at the theater. "Like our REC Room hosts, Cubría's comedy THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS breaks all the rules of traditional theatre experiences," says Horse Head Artistic Director Jacey Little. "Past Horse Head productions have focused on immersing audiences in the world of the play; but in THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS, we'll bring the play into the audience's world."

Judgment will be directed by Horse Head company member, star of last season's THE WHALE, and 2016 Houston Press Theatre Awards' "Best Utility Player," Philip Hays. "THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS is not an improv show, but it's not a sit-down-be-polite show either. It's not a play about politics, but it's not all fluff. It's not politically correct, but it's not a shame-fest. It's not a serious play, but it's not without its moments. It's not yo mamma's theatre. But hey, we're not judging."

THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS originally premiered as a co-production with Inviolet Theatre and INTAR Theatre in New York City, where it successfully ran for six months. The play was subsequently presented by Los Angeles's Ammunition Theatre Company as their inaugural full-length production. Horse Head is proud to present THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS as not only a regional premiere, but in new form, as the script will be developed and redrafted for this production in collaboration with playwright Cubría.

Pre-show fun starts at at 7:30PM. Special events include:

• Week One (Thursday - Saturday, October 27 - 29):- HALLO-WEEK-END COSTUME CONTEST

  • In honor of Halloween, a door prize will be awarded to the best costumed audience member.

• Week Two (Thursday November 3 & Saturday November 5): FOOL'S OPEN BALLOT

  • As practice for the upcoming vote, HH will host their own write-in election. Who would you like to see in the White House? A door prize will be awarded to the best nomination.

• Week Three (Wednesday, November 9 and Thursday - Saturday, November 10 - 12): VOTER APPRECIATION NIGHT

  • In honor of our nation's 57th (presumably) successful Presidential Election and in celebration of this great country's democracy, Horse Head will forcefully demand a $5 donation at the door for anyone who did NOT vote, publicly shame them and withhold all door prizes.

THE JUDGEMENT OF FOOLS runs tonight, October 27, through November 12, 2016 at REC Room, 100 Jackson Street, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.* with bonus late night performances Saturdays at 10 p.m. and Wednesday, November 9 at 8 p.m.. Pay-what-you-can previews are Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 8 p.m. $25-$45. Discounted student and industry tickets are available at the door. For more information, visit horseheadtheatre.org.

Horse Head is funded in part by grants from the Houston Arts Alliance on behalf of City of Houston

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