It’s easier than ever to get into Dungeons & Dragons these days. What started out as a nerdy hobby game in Lake Geneva more than 50 years ago has become an entire genre of game, a lifestyle brand, and a pretty okay Chris Pine movie. But now fans don’t even have to play the game to play the game. Thousands of people now watch actual play shows where audience members get the exciting storytelling, nerdy references, and inside jokes of a D&D campaign without having to learn the rules or figure out if an owlbear hoots or roars.
The Dungeon Cocktail Experience adjusts the actual play formula a little further. It’s a live show based out of Madison that mixes improvisational theater with bespoke cocktails for guests to enjoy during the show. (The menu includes NA options for anyone who doesn’t want a Wisdom penalty.) The group is putting on multiple shows in Cudahy’s Dresden Castle, August 21-23.
Ahead of those shows, we talked with creator Jesse Theiler about how he combined his love of the game, his passion for theater, and his knack for tasty beverages into the upcoming performances.
Milwaukee Record: How did this project come together?
Jesse Theiler: Honestly? Like any good D&D campaign, completely by accident and slightly fueled by brandy. I’ve been in improv for years, and I’ve always loved the narrative power of tabletop games. One night, after a show and a very strong Old Fashioned, I turned to my friend Brad Knight and said, “What if we mashed up fantasy roleplay and immersive theater?” So we did. We performed the show. Next thing I know, we’re designing a pop-up tavern, writing lore, and debating whether a mimic should be played by a person or a prop. (Spoiler: it’s both.)
MR: What goes into deciding what cocktails become part of the show?
JT: We approach cocktails the same way a Dungeon Master approaches an adventure. Our arcane mixologists start with a wild idea, mix in some chaos, and make sure it’s something the adventurer will actually survive. We want a mix of flavor profiles since we know people have different preferences. The cast and crew sample every variation to mix the best possible cocktail for visitors to the DCX realm.
MR: What D&D elements are you most excited about including in the show?
JT: I love that we get to bring the spirit of tabletop play to life: the unexpected twists, inside jokes, and the “OMG, they’re actually going to try that” moments. Having the audience influence the adventure means no two shows are ever the same. My favorite part is that the cast play two characters in every show: a gamer playing D&D; and when the action starts, they actually become the D&D character that they’re playing.
MR: How do you balance storytelling versus comedy in a production like this?
JT: That’s my favorite kind of challenge! People sometimes think we’re aiming straight for laughs—but really, we’re aiming to be interesting, and the comedy just… happens. We start with a solid story arc, then weave in unscripted moments like a golden tapestry of absurdity and delight. The goal is to leave the audience thinking, “There’s no way they made that up on the spot…but they totally did.”
MR: Tell us about your favorite D&D character.
JT: Hands down, it has to be Willy Popcorn. I played him about ten years ago in a loosely-D&D, one-shot, home-brewed, combat-focused game at Gen Con that was basically a gladiator pit. The rules were simple: your stats leaned hard toward Strength…which was hilarious, because Willy was this scrawny, bookish “gladiator” who looked like he’d lose an arm-wrestling match with a halfling child. By all logic, he should’ve been flattened in the first round—but the dice gods were in rare form that day. Willy somehow took down two actual gladiators before his luck ran out. The table was in tears, cheering for this underdog nerd-warrior. It was ridiculous, it was epic, and it was pure D&D magic.
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