The Drunken City
You are cordially invited...
What is The Drunken City about?
On the one hand, Drunken City seems like a sitcom. It’s a romantic comedy based on the well-worn “pre-wedding-jitters” cliché – a story rooted in Shakespeare as well as popular films like Philadelphia Story. But in true Bock-style, he subverts the genre and creates a topsy-turvy world. Thus, it is set in a city that (like the woods in a Shakespeare play) upends everyone’s desires. As one character says, “The city’s like a monster, like a sleeping dragon or some dark creature in the night that cracks open an eye, and whispers dark dangerous dark ideas into your ear.”
Jeff Janisheski
Artistic Director, Cal Rep
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This photo is a model of the set by graduate scenic designer Hongda Zhu.
At a particular point in the show, the script says "The world tilts". This is not spoken by any of the actors, so you'll need to be on the lookout for this moment in the play!
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After you see the show, ask yourself: what did you see? How did the world 'tilt'? Think about the various design elements:scenic, video projection, lighting, sound, etc.
Do you recognize these photos?
What do these photos say about marriage? Do you agree or disagree? Why? What do you think is missing from these photos?
The Financial Pressures of Weddings
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Top 2017 Wedding Statistics
(source: theknot.com)
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Average Wedding Cost: $33,391 (excludes honeymoon)
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Most Expensive Place to Get Married: Manhattan, $76,944 average spend
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Average Spent on a Wedding Dress: $1,509
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Average Marrying Age: Bride, 29.2; Groom, 30.9
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Most Popular Month to Get Engaged: December (16%)
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Average Length of Engagement: 14.0 months
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Popular Wedding Colors: Ivory/Champagne (37%), Dark Blue (32%) and Gold (30%)
For the classroom...
Here is a description of a scene you could improvise around in groups (5-7 recommended). The premise is:
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Two people are looking at pictures from an event and the rest of the group is forming tableaus to represent those pictures to the audience.
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After a group gets "on stage" work with the audience to brainstorm which event this group will describe
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Examples: official wedding photos, honeymoon, engagement party, rehearsal dinner, asking the question, bachelor party etc.
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Take suggestions that feels timely.
Optional: the person showing the pictures can walk through the tableau space as they describe the moment in further detail. If they place a hand on the shoulder of a frozen character, that character is invited to share what they are thinking.
Below is a brief example.
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At Rise: Two friends standing downstage right.
A: Do you have any pictures from your bachelor/bachelorette party?
B: Sure I do. Let me show you! (takes out phone)
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B: This is a picture of _________________________.
(The rest of the group quickly forms a still image matching B’s description.)
A: Cool, cool.
B: Thank you. The next picture -- you’re going to love it -- it’s of____________________.
(The group forms a still image again.)
A: Oh is that guy in the back throwing up?
B: Yup. That’s Brian.
(Someone from the group changes their pose to a throw-up pose. They are Brian.)
A: OK, last picture. We had no idea this was going to happen. Suddenly ______________.
(The group does the thing.)
B: Wow.
A: I know.
End Scene