BATSU! Moves to Custom Designed New Venue Following East Village Run
Face Off Unlimited, the acclaimed comedy company behind the underground phenomenon BATSU!, is thrilled to announce the show's move to WARA, 67 1st Avenue. The eighth year of performances begins February 8, 2019 and continues the New York production's longtime partnership with brothers Joe and Wayne Yip, the owners of WARA and Jebon Sushi, where BATSU! opened and has played over 1100 performances since 2011.
In loving tribute to Japanese game shows, four warriors compete in hilarious challenges to avoid electric shocks, paintballs, a giant egg-smashing chicken, and many more jaw-dropping punishments that have delighted and shocked audiences and media - as they safely enjoy their sushi and drink - for eight years. The cast of BATSU! are members of the acclaimed comedy group Face Off Unlimited, who the New York Times has declared "Really Funny."
"This move gave us the opportunity to create an even more immersive and unique experience," says Artistic Director Jay Painter, "Inspired by the hidden Tokyo bar-filled back alleys known as yokochos, we want to transport our guests to a secret underground izakaya for a night they'll never forget."
Face Off Unlimited first performed BATSU! at Jebon Sushi, located at 15 St. Marks Pl - a legendary street in NYC's East Village, on Monday, December 6, 2010 as a private performance for family, friends, and invited guests. When the crowd lost their minds with delight, Face Off Unlimited developed the show further and opened to the public on January 10, 2011. What began as a secret NYC gem almost instantly grew into a bona fide hit - spurring the launch of a sit-down production in Chicago, and a national tour, as well as plans to open in additional cities.
Hailed by influential national theater critic Chris Jones at Chicago Tribune as a "GONZO bacchanalian Friday night with California rolls and sake," and "good, safe fun - assuming you think "body sushi" falls into that category. I was occasionally appalled and frequently very amused." The review quotes are as unique as the Japanese game show-improvisational comedy-dinner theater piece is, with Thrillist calling BATSU! both "hilarious, strange, and kind of sick" and one of the "20 Fresh Date Ideas!" Third Coast Review piles on with, "the most mildly perverse, alcohol fueled, comically salacious fun one could hope for."
Japanese for "LOL", WARA offers a full menu/bar to audience members, while the bravest sign up for a chance to participate in BATSU!'s excitingly punishing brand of entertainment - providing the perfect night out for birthday celebrations, office outings, and those who are bored with the typical dinner and drinks routine.
Based in New York City, Face Off Unlimited specializes in immersive, improvisational entertainment and creative content development. faceoffunlimited.com
Tickets range from $30.50 to $60.50 VIP tickets and are on sale now at batsulive.com. For group tickets, emailgroups@batsunyc.com.
