I do love the BNW, but this wasn't their best. We had no table service despite sitting right up front. My recollection is they previously had servers. Maybe not. Seems a missed opportunity for revenue. I know we would have imbibed beyond the first round we bought ourselves on the way in. Then there was the show, "Hypocralypse Now", which was amusing in spots but never exceeded expectations. Good, not great. I would compare the place to Second City in Chicago, in terms of ambiance and atmosphere, and Second City doesn't always hit a home run either. This was fun, and we loved all the taunts of the current vile administration, but perhaps MAGA is too easy a target. read more

I've been to many shows over the years - the most recent was the original improv show written by the troupe: "The World is Burning, Let's Make S'Mores"! Oh, it felt good to laugh ... and laugh ... and laugh some more. The talented and creative actors made it easy, giving their all to the audience in song, dance, costume ... you name it and they brought it. The theater is on Hennepin Avenue, a black room with seats and tables surrounding the stage. There is an elevator, a large staircase bathrooms for men and women, and a small bar before you enter the theater. A lovely space for a show and relatively easy to navigate for food, parking, etc., even with a stroller (this is NOT a kids' show) or a person using a walker or wheelchair. read more

Brave New Workshop - Full house! - Performing Arts Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Coming to Minnesota this was my first outting experience and I had a blast! The selection of arts and crafts you could do is insane, the vibe in the building is fun and creative, the food is tasty and the drinks are GOOD!!! Very worth the time if you've never been and I can't wait to visit again! read more

I came to the Brave New Workshop to watch Smelling Elon's Musk. The theater seating is on the second floor and they have snacks and beverages for sale in the lobby. Snacks ranged from candies to popcorn and they had various alcoholic and n/a beverages. Drinks were around $10 each but they did have a last chance sale for $6 cans. As for the show, we were cracking up throughout! The cast put together an amazing show and brought humor to the unfortunate reality that is the wealth gap. I would definitely come back to see another show! read more

Brave New Workshop - View from a front row table with a beverage on top - Performing Arts Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Fun and inexpensive! Don't show up too early like the website tells you to, 15 min is early enough to get there, park, check in, and grab a beverage. I will definitely come back over and over again! read more

So the minnesota tesla club decided to see this because well elon. I have been to many shows in the past here and i have always had a great time. This show was no different. The actors interacted with the audience and that made the shoe great. Smelling elons musk was vert creative and funny. The show was about billionaires and told a great story. The song and dance were great by all the actors and well I would highly recommend this show or anything else they do. read more

My children and I decided to take in a show. I was very underwhelmed. One they started 10 minutes late,and 2 it was basically ripping on our current president and it's voters. Even though I tried to take it in stride because we are all entitled to our opinions, it was very insulting. read more

Brave New Workshop is really fun and a bit edgy. You have to come with an open mind. Nothing is off limits and it can be really funny. It's an enjoyable evening out with great drinks and great humor. My favorite part is at the end when they do improv. Overall enjoyable but a bit edgy. Nice refreshments. Really fun presentation. Enjoy! read more

They nail it every time. Talent, comedy, pacing, variety of skits, improv at the end. Love it all!

Last night I went to the Brave New Workshop for the firs time to see the Christmas show "Twerking Around the Christmas Tree." Wow - what a great experience! The show was upstairs and there was a full bar with specialty, themed cocktails for the show. I had a Miley's Merrymaker (notice the theme)- hot chocolate with kahlua and peppermint schnapps. It was the perfect drink to get me in the holiday spirit, and the price was totally reasonable ($6). The show had 4 actors who did 3 acts. The first 2 were scripted, and the last was improv. The whole show was hilarious and included lots of Minnesota puns. I can't wait to go to the next show at the BNW. read more

The new theater is great. A larger space on Hennepin in the the theater district, with an upstairs theater that is about the same size as the old one but more roomy and better sight lines. A downstairs bar where they encourage you to come early "the more you drink the funnier we are." The bar has a couple of taps, some bottled beers, mixed drinks, and Cupcake wine. I've seen a few shows over the years - and if you love improv, you will love BNW. One of the favorite players was off the night that we went, so the comedy was a little off for me - a little too political, had its ups and downs. The highlight was always when the cast made each other laugh. read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at BNW. We attended their current show "How to make love like a Minnesotan". It was hillarious...and very entertaining! Top quality...but we were not all that impressed with the post show improv. It just didn't stand up to the quality of their main show (nor of other improv routines I've seen around). Prior to the show we grabbed a couple of drinks at the bar (they serve beer and wine) and the bar tenders were very helpful and personable. Tips: 1) If you think you'll need a bathroom during a break, RUN! The line can become very long. 2) After the show, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby that are still open after the show. Check out Duplex...or Chipotle, for a great post show meal. read more

Brave New Workshop - Performing Arts Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

BTW never fails to delight, shock and straight out embarrass. I can't get enough! If you're looking for something off-the-wall to do with a friend or someone you've been dating (first date could be kind of iffy depending), this is a fantastic idea. read more

What a great night! "Angels We Have Heard are High" (O Holy Crap) was an absolutely hysterical fun event! From the opening introductions through to their own take on the 12 Days of Christmas they had me laughing and in tears! Great fun (not for the kiddos though... keep them duct taped to the floor at home. OR feel feee to get a sitter. That works too. (Probably preferred for most) Bonus was an improve session as an afterglow "nightcap"! read more

Just not very funny. History of the place is fun, but the connect itself was just not funny.

Brave New Workshop, while still somewhat new to this particular address, has been a staple in the Cities for about half a century. So even though the downtown digs are new - they've brought with them the same great comedy and improv they've been providing for many years. I have now been to a couple of their shows at the new site and everything has been well produced, topical and witty. Their shows typically run for a couple of months and are usually a satirical riff on the Twin Cities and national zeitgeist, but they do a great job continuously adding material as the weeks fall off the calendar, which keeps the show current and fresh. But just in case your funny bone isn't twitching enough, they have plenty of beer and booze to inspire laughter if needed... So stop in for a show (buy one get one free tickets for MPR members), be prepared to laugh at yourself and society's shortcomings and stick around for the improv that follows the late night shows. read more

I love a good comedy show and BNW never fails to deliver. These are some seriously crazy and hilarious character comedians. I've been going to BNW since I was a teenager and have seen a lot of shows over the years. Caleb and Katy McEwen were fantastic on stage and I miss them but this comedic genius duo is still going strong from behind the scenes. The BNW shows are designed to make you laugh out loud with just the right amount of offensive material (which I think is key to good comedy). I'm amazed that the shows continue to be this funny and creative after so many years. They do a great job of finding new material from current events and twisting them into situations you can't help but laugh at. While enjoying the show, be sure to partake of their fun cocktails that they sell at very reasonable prices. Makes the show even funnier! With or without adult beverages, the BNW shows are going to make you laugh and look at the world a little differently. Check it out. read more

50 shades of grey... With Lauren Anderson as one is the actors.... What else could you want in a Friday night, this is a fantastic show with an amazing group of actors, a true must for a wonderful historical night out, another great show by the brave new workshop! read more

Brave New Workshop - Performing Arts Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Great sketch comedy performed here . I saw 'Getting Plowed' during this last holiday season. This quartet knew how to exaggerate the crazies lurking in the holiday season: like the nosy neighbor who says the songs in your Christmas lights are too loud; or the holiday host who asks if her leftover cottage cheese bowl is too good for your gravy. BNW has a good mix of table and stadium seating areas. Be mindful of the construction scene leading up to Hennepin's main street. More review here http://bit.ly/33Jchyk read more

Hilarious! Went here for the first time ever and saw Booty and the Beast a Tinderella Story. Cast was funny, venue is small and intimate and no bad seats in the house.... they didn't pull people on stage which I like. I hate when improv does that... it always ends awkwardly... Also... you can text you bar order in during the show! What? why doesn't every theater to this? Genius! read more

Saw Booty and the Beast a comedy revue about dating disasters! Beautiful theater and not a bad seat in the house. Awesome service...I wanted to have coffee...so I asked one of the ushers if there was a coffee shop nearby...and I was recommended Caribou which was located at the Lunds grocery store which was with in walking distance, and they let me take it into the theatre. Unfortunately I had to leave early because I ended up not feeling well...but as I was leaving one of the ushers gave me a bottle of water complimentary...such wonderful service and experience.... will definitely be back! read more

My friend, Anne K., wanted to go see Fifty Shades of Gravy at Brave New Workshop and invited me along for the ride. It was a great diversion from our typical shenanigans - and we love supporting local artists. I didn't bother to look up a description of the show prior to our experience. My friend bought the tickets and I didn't question her generosity. I read the Fifty Shades books (don't judge me) and I figured this would be the funniest show I would ever see. The books give a lot of material to make fun of, after all. I expected a mockery of the 50 Shades trilogy, a comedic slaughter of the ridiculous books and the people who read them. What we got instead was a social satire with references to the book. ('Everything is Better when you Masturbate' was one song they sang). Basically it was a show that made fun out of the horrific current events (specifically racism and related events) - and the book was a form of escapism from those events. I didn't want to go laugh at what is happening socially right now. I wanted to go laugh my head off at the stupid books and their subsequent success. I wanted to be made fun of for reading them (and enjoying them). I wanted kinky sex and spankings! Er, well, wanted to laugh at them anyway. The cast was funny, very talented people. They wrote, produced and performed the show and I give them kudos for that. They also did about a half hour of improv a the end of the show that was awesome. It just wasn't what I expected. Next time I'll do my research! read more

$27 per ticket = $9 per charitable chuckle. My wife and I went there last Saturday (we love comedy clubs and theatre) with some friends and were disappointed. I'm glad we tried it once, but I will never go back. It just wasn't funny, and based on my internal Laugh-O-Meter, the audience agreed with me. I was expecting improv and got 'scripted improv' instead, which just isn't the same. The recurring punchline of the night was a series of different names for male genitalia. btw read more

I know many Minneapolis residents that have never been to BNW. For shame......for "f"ing shame. BNW is hilarious. Everyone reading this needs to follow my 6-step plan to success: 1-Donate to MPR and get your membership card 2-Call BNW, mention you MPR membership to get 50% off your tickets (no small dollar amount when weekend tickets can be 30 bucks!) 3-laugh your ass off for the first act 4-Intermission (buy booze and M&Ms) 5-laugh your ass off for the second act 6-buy me a drink across the street at Green Mill and scene, read more

Last night I was invited to join some friends and family to attend, "Brett Favre's Christmas Spectacular: The Immaculate Interception" Christmas show, and the Brave New Work shop sure delivered like they have every time I've been there!!! Ok, so I've only been there twice, but their Christmas show held up to every positive rumor I've heard about the Christmas show! The Brave New Workshop is always on top of current events, and when it comes to poking fun at politics or religion there is no bias, as some might say, "They're equal opportunity assholes." Not only does The Brave New Workshop deliver (the two times) every time I've been there, but the small venue allows even the people sitting in back feel like they're right up front. You can almost taste the words! ...and make sure you take into account this is coming from someone who hates "live plays" but I wouldn't even call it that, its just one great comedy show...is that still considered a play??? Enjoy! read more

Founded by Dudley Riggs, the Brave New Workshop is an iconic theater in MSP. If you want to get involved in improve or writing, you can take classes here. On Sundays you can watch pretty funny improve for a buck!!! Talk about making your dollar stretch! And you can cross the street and indulge in Happy Hour drinks and apps after wards! read more

My sister, her boyfriend and I went to see "How To Make Love Like a Minnesotan: Sleepless in Shakopee" last night and we were laughing so hard we were crying right from the beginning. Our whole family is from Minnesota. Our parents moved to Iowa right before I was born, and now she's moved to Minneapolis, and I to Chicago. We thought this would be a great way to spend a Friday night in the Minn, and we were so, so satisfied. Wickedly sharp satire and observational humor. Loved. It. This show in particular is just hilarious, because darned near everything they explain/describe as what it's like to love someone, Minnesotan to Minnesotan, is true!! I don't know if Minnesota truly is the most sexually-repressed state (Iowa would have to be some very, very close competition), but recognizing that and then putting it on display was just hilarious. I hope we go to the BNW every time I'm in Minneapolis. read more

Brave New Workshop happens to be a great little comedy theater! I love them for hosting the IAGG group. I went for Improv a Go Go on Sunday for a $1. Best steal of my life! They have four acts that night that run from 8-10pm. The acts rotate, so it can be hit or miss, but it will always be well worth the $1 to check it out. Check the line up for the night at http://www.improvagogo.com/ Just a side-note: If Adventures of Tim, Troy, and Damien is on the roster for that night you MUST go! They were so funny and the whole audience was cracking up. read more

I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard. Poignant & hard hitting, biting comedy that is as timely as it is funny, it takes you back to the heyday of SNL. The seating's a bit sardine like & in spite of the "specialty drinks" advertisement I only saw beer & wine, but once the show begins you'll forget everything but the spot on dialogue & the talent & professionalism of the extremely funny cast. Trumpsters beware. This is not your Donny's cup of tea. read more

The show was hilarious and talented improve story? Well I would but It was based on my first visit under the suggestion from Laura P.(who makes awesome reviews BTW) The actors were clever and quick witted. I attended the Creature Feature and the audience decided our creature is Santa in "Clause of Death" which was playing on off the wall humor to bad horror movie acting and characters. I am told the workshop is a improve school and it's graduates put on the shows and Students on Sunday for a $1 which I am told can be a hit or miss but it's hard work to do improve and working with the audience. It's a must when visiting or live in Minneapolis read more

I love this place. There are a few different shows that you can see here. On Sundays you can go to 'Improv A Go-Go for $1. I've went to this and it's a good value. Not as funny as the main show, but still, it's a frick'n dollar folks! They have Tuesdays Six Ring Circus, which features the different improv troupes that I believe, not sure, are people that are in the improv class that they offer through the Brave New Workshop school. It's a little more hit-and-miss, but it's just $1, so you can't really complain. And, hey, when it's not funny, that just means you haven't drank enough from their bar *wink* They do a late night show after their main show on Fridays and Saturdays where you can come in for a $1 and see the 'third act' from the main show. Not quite sure when that starts, since I've always just went to the main show and stayed the whole way though. The Friday and Saturday main show ends up being $24 or so and it's about an hour and a half of hilarity. I saw their show that ran through Christmas and I nearly peed my pants 2 dozen times. Loved it! Their next show seems like it'll be fun, I love the title: "The Brave New Workshop Saves the Planet" or "Yes We Can, But Do We Have To?" Awesome! It opens July 17th, but you can preview it on July 9th. Their comedy is really topical and pokes fun at current events. They tend to have a progressive view on things and have a no-fear stance on who they should and shouldn't make jokes about. I love it! I feel like everyone should have the ability to step outside their lives once in awhile and just laugh at all the bullshit that we're all facing each and every day. You can't be serious about everything all the time and this place allows you to laugh at yourself, your president, your economical downfall, your mom, the fact that are planet is going to shit, your neighbor's tacky bermuda shorts, gas prices, religion. . .I mean, everything. There is no topic that is too sacred for them, they'll take it all on! Plus, they have a little bar there. Git your drank on, son! Beer prices are a little steep, but, eh, oh well. You'll have the time of your life! read more

Brave New Workshop is funny. Plain and simple. So many people drive by their 26th and Hennepin Ave theater and don't think twice about stopping in. Dumb. They don't know what they're missing. BNW is improvisational comedy. They do skits, they have a general theme for a show, but this comedy is all about improvisation. And, they're damn good at it. How to make love like a Minnesotan: The Full Montevideo was my fave show of this past year. Hilarious, witty and outright perfect in so many ways. The shows poke fun at everything it is to be from our frigid little state - and talk about sex all in the same show. Weird? Sure. BNW has been a Twin Cities institution since the 1950s. Many famous comedians have cut their teeth at BNW - Al Franken, Pat Proft and Louie Anderson to name a few - and the history of Dudley Rigg's little comedy show means BNW continues to incubate great talent. Friday night shows seem to attract the biggest crowds, so go Thursday or Saturday - and be sure to bring some cash for concessions. Nothing makes a comedy show funnier than an adult beverage. read more

If you leave a show and didn't feel offended, you obviously weren't listening -- and I LOVE it! I have been more times than I can count (OK not really, but probably 6-7 shows over the years) and have loved everyone. The show is especially funny for Minnesotans as they put in a lot of local news/political pundits, but can certainly be enjoyed by everyone. This is a no-holds-bar comedy performance and keeps you laughing the whole time. After their last show on Saturday they do a 30-45 minute improv set with suggestions from the audience. I've found this to be hit or miss - luckily last Saturday it was absolutely hilarious (of course I always stay for it though -- there is something wonderful and awesome about an art form in such a raw form and being able to see it live). Customer service is great too -- the bartenders are always having a good time chatting with you etc etc while still giving good service to all patrons. read more

Why do I give out so many fives? Well, holms, I hand the shit out 'cuz this shits my city. Know what I'm saying, dawg? You on my turf, and you get hit if you think your gonna be looking at my girl, jackin my rims, or rippin my system! I own it. And you? Shiiiiit, Yo! Now I go to the BNW every few months. And I gotta say, G, that this place is the shit of all shit! If I could grant a six point five, I would scream "HELL YEAH CABRONE!" Why you asking? Well, esse, every show I've been I've laughed my motherfuckin ass home. I don't even have to bring my piece! It's all good. I just leave that shit with my baby and watch all that satire and shit from my hommys on stage. They real good. Reeeal good. It's so good that I throw down that shit after I get home and kick it with my boys. Its like I haven't even left the theater, yo. I just grease those motherfuckers with some of that BNW freaky shit and everyone just eats it up. And the improv night? Mmmmm Mmmmm Mmmmm. You know what I'm saying. Shit's only one green. Though, uh, shit isn't as good as the main show. Now that shit is kickin! Nothing betta than the main show. Oh, yeah, baby. Those motherfuckers are original. It's some real funny shit. Now is this shit perfect? Hell no, man! Shit's gets expensive. They want thirty dollas a show. Where you think I'm gonna get thirty dollas ever week? Shiiit, this city is in a recession! I ain't got no money. But if all your hommys are outta town, then, shit dawg, I'd check this shit out. You'll have a real good time. Know what I'm saying? read more

We travelled from Australia to Minnesota and received a wonderful Christmas gift of a night at the BNW. We thought the football themed show might be hard for non-Americans to follow, but after the brief intro number with Green Bay and Viking jokes, the show went into solid Christmas territory. . . . and it was absolutely bloody hilarious!! The two Twelve Days of Christmas bits were spectacular and should become Christmas classics. What a fabulous evening. It almost made us forget just how cold it was outside. read more

I always have a great time watching shows at the Brave New Workshop's Comedy Theater on Hennepin. It's the best entertainment bang for your buck, because these actors are insanely talented and ridiculously hilarious. I've only seen shows at their new Hennepin theater, so I'm not sure how much better this is from the older one, but I sense having separate restrooms is a BFD. I also like that they have bars on both floors, and the drinks aren't that pricey, either; in fact, they have some great drink specials during the shows. During intermission, they have servers that take your drinks as well. Of course, the nice amenities and comfortable space wouldn't be anything if the shows themselves are bland, and these are brilliant scripted shows, people. There's typically a theme with every show. For example, Occupy Arden Hills makes fun of the aimless millennials (thank you very much), while Lance Armstrong's Steroid-Pumped Revue has skits about cheating. Not all skits are over-the-top funny, but there's a lot of those, enough to keep me coming back. I also like how they can combine scripted comedy with some improv. Watching a show at the BNW is surely a fun way to spend your night with friends. read more

Brave New Workshop provides an energetic & creative experience. For me, it provided a perfect contrast to a string of classical theater I had been seeing by playwrights that had been dead for many, many (many) years. Honestly, I was feeling a little restless with the shows I had been seeing. This was the perfect remedy. The actors were sharp and the venue was intimate and friendly. The play was fast-paced and relevant to my life (local and modern). I also felt like I was supporting innovative, young artists. read more

I'm liking the new downtown digs quite a bit. It has some significant improvements--100% more stages (2), 100% more bars (2), at least 100% more bathrooms and 100% fewer obstructions (0)--all of which adds up to a great experience! The vibe of the place is more like that of the Pantages or Orpheum, although obviously not nearly as big. It's more corporate and a little less folksy than the well-loved space they occupied for several decades down the road in Uptown. You can't really blame them, though. It's just what happens when you grow up and move into a brand new, custom-built space. It's sort of like the business equivalent of ditching the run-down apartment you shared with a couple hippie roommates after college and moving into a loft by the river after you got a real job. You trade "charm" for convenience and amenities. You still have a hard time finding parking, but at least now you have the option of parking in a ramp instead of driving around for an hour. All this talk about the space isn't really that important, because you don't come for the bathrooms. You come to see side-splitting, high-energy comedic performances by an ensemble of talented performers. I'm happy to say that you still get the classic, hilariously funny mix of songs and skits that you'd expect from BNW. This is key. I've been to two performances in the new place, including a preview of the new show about the 2012 election and I can't wait to see the finished version. I'm also glad they're still putting on more experimental shows in the old space. There's just something about a well-used space that makes comedy better. Either way, go see a show, already. You won't regret it! read more

HI-LARIOUS! I took the boy out for a dinner and a comedy downtown and the Brave New Workshop didn't disappoint. Laura (or Lauren?) Anderson may be the best female comedian I'd seen! She was so animated and comical - it was everything you'd hope a female comedian to be! The sketch was clever and hysterical - their renditions of "12 days of Christmas" kept us laughing for the next 2 days. However, the improv wasn't remotely as good. I will say though they succeeded at being funny without getting overly raunchy, which seemed to be the fail proof resort for most comedy shows. Their new location is right in the heart of downtown. What better to do than catching a 10pm comedy show after a satisfying meal at one of the over-priced restaurants? read more

The Brave New Workshop has moved Downtown Minneapolis and it's about time! I have seen two shows there since it has relocated to the newly renovated space on Hennepin Avenue and although the shows have always been funny, being Downtown made a world of difference! Most of the actors are the same ones that we all fell in love with in the Uptown venue, so don't worry, you'll still see some familiar faces. The shows consist mostly of short sketches (similar to SNL) that fall within a given theme and if you are lucky, the cast will follow with an encore performance of a few improv "games" which are always my favorite part because you get to see how truly funny the actors are unscripted. The two main reasons why I will always support the BNW: 1.) No subject matter, religion, political affiliation, body part, sexual preference, uncomfortable situation, or stereotype is off limits to these geniuses. Because they are entirely privately funded (aka do not rely on government/grant money) they can make fun of whatever they want... and believe me, they do. 2.) I have planned various charity events and the Brave New Workshop is one of only a few businesses that donate without hesitation. Not only are these people comedic geniuses, but they are generous and care about the Minneapolis community. Everyone should check out the new space as soon as you possibly can! read more