Jay Painter

BATSU! to Make Los Angeles Debut At The Bourbon Room In Hollywood
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 12, 2024

BATSU! will bring its cross-cultural comedy to Los Angeles with a limited run at The Bourbon Room in December. Experience the show that captivated audiences in New York, Chicago, and London. Learn how to purchase tickets.

London Cast Set For BATSU! at Underbelly Boulevard
by Stephi Wild - Dec 8, 2023

 Underbelly has announced the UK company for BATSU!. Having recently expanded to London from Chicago and New York, the Japanese game show inspired event has since made Underbelly Boulevard its home.

BATSU! to Open at Underbelly Boulevard This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 2, 2023

BATSU!, direct from Chicago and New York will now make its way to their new permanent space with a residency at Underbelly Boulevard from November 2023.

BATSU! Announces UK Premiere in 2023 Edinburgh Fringe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 17, 2023

Get ready for an unforgettable night of cross-cultural comedy as BATSU! makes its UK debut at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. Experience the fusion of Japanese batsu game with American humor, as comedy warriors face off in hilarious challenges with electrifying punishments. Don't miss this must-see event at the Cowgate, hosted by Underbelly.

Japanese Magician, Sho Kitta, to Join BATSU! NYC For A Special Limited Engagement This June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 6, 2023

Sho Kitta will share the stage as a guest artist at BATSU! NYC, the outrageous comedy experience that combines the Japanese batsu game with American comedy, for a limited three-show run from June 6 - 9, 2023.

BATSU! The Punishment Card Game to Make PAX West Debut This Month
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 1, 2022

BATSU! The Punishment Card Game will premiere at PAX West for the first time this fall. Demos will occur at Booth TT5101 on September 2nd-4th from 10am-12amPT, and September 5th from 10amPT-6pmPT.

BATSU! NYC Returns After Two Year Hiatus And Announces New Partnership With Japanese Restaurant, Kogame
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2022

BATSU! NYC holds its grand reopening event on March 11, 2022 at 7pm ET. This local favorite has been on hiatus since March 2020, when they closed their doors for the pandemic. Now, they're welcoming audiences back to a reimagined immersive experience featuring new performances and an exclusive menu.

Artist Akiko Tokuoka Recognized With $5,000 City Artists Corps Grant From NY Foundation For The Arts and NYC Department Of Culture
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2021

Performance Artist Akiko Tokuoka is one of 3,000 New York City-based artists to receive $5,000 through the City Artist Corps Grants program, presented by The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre.

Interactive Dating Show Commissions Amy Hart & Paul Taylor-Mills For Three Part Mini-series Following Its Hugely Successful Debut Last Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2021

Following the success of the debut pilot of TAP THAT last month, the dynamic hosting duo Amy Hart and Paul Taylor-Mills have been commissioned to do a mini-series of the international hit dating show.

Interactive Dating Show TAP THAT Comes To The UK
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2021

Comedy and experiential production company Face Off Unlimited (BATSU!, Goon River)  announces the UK debut of TAP THAT - a new, technology driven dating show, where the voting audience makes the match in real time. The online show has been running successfully in the US and they are  now able to make matches for single Brits!

Face Off Unlimited Announces the Return of TAP THAT
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 20, 2021

Comedy and experiential production company Face Off Unlimited (BATSU!, Goon River) announced the return of TAP THAT - a new, technology driven dating show where the voting audience makes the match in real time.

Face Off Unlimited Sets Cast for Live Virtual Presentation of GOON RIVER
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2020

Back by popular demand, and with a 2020 virtual twist, Face Off Unlimited has announced its cast for the return of Goon River.

Online Fundraising Challenge Raises Grant Money For Artists Out Of Work
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 13, 2020

With all live performance operations suspended for social distancing, theatres small and large are preparing for an eventual restart, if they are fortunate enough to get one. Face Off Unlimited, like many theatre companies, is keeping a focused eye on the well-being of its now out of work company members.

Fou Announces New Batsu! NYC Associate Artists 
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 26, 2019

Face Off Unlimited (FOU) has announced that Noriko Sato and Brian Walters, two cast members that the company credit as vital to the success of BATSU! NYC, will be joining the BATSU! Creative Team as Associate Artists. Both stalwart and fan favorite performers, in their new roles they will also work directly with Artistic Director Jay Painter and other FOU creatives to continually improve and expand on the production. 

FOU Names Jin Kim Associate Artistic Director Of Batsu! Chicago
by Julie Musbach - Jun 17, 2019

Face Off Unlimited, the creators of BATSU!, are known for finding and cultivating extraordinary talent and when BATSU! opened in Chicago in 2016, they awarded the critical role of Host to Chicagoland actor and veteran improviser, Jin Kim. "The show is celebrating its 3 year anniversary and its 300th performance this month, and has been enjoying sold out performances, so what better time to strengthen the creative team?" reasoned Joe Tex, FOU's Director of Operations.

Akim Funk Buddha Joins Creative Team of BATSU!
by Julie Musbach - Apr 15, 2019

Face Off Unlimited, the creators of BATSU!, are known for continually improving, enhancing, and evolving their productions, so to long time fans of BATSU! it may come as no surprise that they have brought Akim Funk Buddha into their creative inner circle. Akim will wear several hats in the world of BATSU! including choreographer to the nearly dozen dancers who perform a traditional Japanese dance - Hip Hop fusion as part of the festivities. Another key element of the BATSU! pre-show experience is the famous fan-favorite, the Sake Ninja

BATSU! Moves to Custom Designed New Venue Following East Village Run
by Julie Musbach - Jan 30, 2019

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.

BATSU! Celebrates 1000 Performances
by Stephi Wild - Oct 19, 2018

On October 22, 2018 at 7 PM, the cast of BASTU! will take the stage in the lower level of Jebon Sushi and suffer punishments for the 1000th time. But this time, it will be in an effort to recreate their first performance which took place on Monday, December 9, 2010.

New Play by DEXTER Writer Gets NYC Industry Reading with Luna Velez and More
by BWW News Desk - Dec 1, 2017

The Directors Company has announced the next reading in its reading series, THE MISCONCEPTION by Emmy Award winner and creator of Dexter, James Manos Jr.

BATSU! Game Show to Celebrate 500th Performance in Chicago This Summer
by BWW News Desk - Aug 6, 2016

BATSU!, the comedic and interactive game show that has run for six years in New York, and was named one of the 'Best Things to Do in NYC' by CBS NY and dubbed 'Hilarious' by PIX11 and Thrillist, is celebrating its 500th performance today, August 6.