Brave New Workshop Will Help You Recover From Your Holiday Hangover
If you’ve ever looked at your still-standing Christmas tree in late January and thought, this feels… wrong, Brave New Workshop’s The Holiday Hangover sees you—and then turns that quiet dread into an evening of much-needed laughs.
Produced by Brave New Workshop and presented by Hennepin Arts, The Holiday Hangover is set squarely in that strange stretch of time after the glitter has settled but before winter loosens its grip. It’s the limbo between Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day, when the snow is no longer magical, and the promise of “new year, new me” has already started to wobble.
Similar to some of Brave New Workshop’s other productions, the show is almost entirely improv-based, drawing prompts directly from the audience to shape each performance. The cast spins suggestions into fully realized scenes and even musical numbers on the spot—ranging from an amusingly absurd musical about dentists to a surprisingly intense friend breakup unfolding in an airport bathroom. The performers’ commitment and chemistry shine, especially when navigating such wildly different tones with confidence and ease.
That said, audiences familiar with Brave New Workshop’s recent hit Chaos of the Bells may find that The Holiday Hangover doesn’t quite reach the same heights. Where Chaos of the Bells felt sharper and more fast-paced, The Holiday Hangover occasionally settles into a gentler rhythm. Still, even when it doesn’t fully outshine its predecessor, the show delivers plenty of genuine laughs and clever moments—making it a solid, enjoyable follow-up rather than a disappointment.
The setting adds significantly to the experience. Performed upstairs in the Dudley Riggs Theater, the show benefits from the venue’s quaint, charming intimacy. The close quarters and informal stage setting blur the line between audience and performers, making the improvisation feel collaborative and immediate. It’s the kind of space that feels especially comforting during the long winter months—warm, welcoming, and buzzing with creative energy.
Ultimately, The Holiday Hangover may not eclipse the brilliance of Chaos of the Bells, but it succeeds in something just as important: offering an entertaining reason to get out of the house, support local theater, and laugh together in the depths of winter. In a season when motivation can be hard to come by, Brave New Workshop provides a reminder that joy doesn’t have to wait for spring.
Even with a lingering headache from the holidays, The Holiday Hangover is still a worthwhile—and welcome—cure. And if you’re an improv-lover, you’ll want to grab those tickets for this one!
