Jest Quest: Join This Interactive Comedy Adventure This Saturday (Jun 22)

This Saturday (Jun 22) a brand new comedy theater show is hitting the Beijing stage: Jest Quest. The show is based around Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) which, for those who don’t know, is a fantasy roleplaying game. However, there is much more to the show than that, so to find out more about just what exactly Jest Quest will entail we talked to co-creator and cast member Steven McKinney – aka Stevie Mac of Stevie Mac and the Mac Daddies and Easy Street fame – for the whole story.  

Your upcoming show Jest Quest is described as “an interactive D&D improv adventure”, can you explain a little bit about just what this will entail?
Sure! Jest Quest can best be described as fantasy comedy theater with audience participation, a great time of comedy improv in the fantasy genre – all for a good cause. Jest Quest is a fresh addition to Beijing, drawing inspiration from successful shows like Critical Role and HarmonQuest. All proceeds from the show go to Furry Tales Animal Rescue, so every ticket helps support furry friends in need!  Whether you're into D&D or just up for some laughs and creativity, it's a fun way to make a difference. We're thrilled to bring this interactive experience to the stage and make a positive impact together!

So, for those who may be a little confused, it isn’t just watching people play D&D, right?
No, Jest Quest is like a mix of improv comedy, stage theater, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and a fantasy D&D adventure all rolled into one. What's cool is that the audience gets to join in the fun by helping shape the story with feedback, and even deciding story outcomes with "dice rolls". It’s important to know that you don’t need to be a die-hard D&D fan to enjoy Jest Quest – it's all about having a good time together, laughing, and getting creative!  If you enjoy comedy theater, improv, or D&D you’re sure to enjoy Jest Quest! 

Where did the idea for the show come from?
The idea for Jest Quest came about from a collaboration between Michael DePew, who's known for his expertise as a Dungeon Master and is an excellent public speaker with a successful D&D YouTube Channel, and myself, Steven McKinney (Stevie Mac), a well-known talent in Beijing for music and acting. We both love entertaining and brainstormed our ideas together, which evolved into Jest Quest. It's been an exciting journey bringing our combined passion for theater, storytelling, and fantasy adventures to life on stage.

Can you tell us a bit about the other cast members?
Absolutely! We've got a fantastic group bringing Jest Quest to life:

Michael DePew is our skilled and charismatic Dungeon Master, known for his successful social media presence built on a deep understanding of D&D.

AJ Donnelly, a talented actor, brings his experience from a successful career in movies and TV in China.

Stephanie Stone, a seasoned actress here in Beijing, with a wealth of performances under her belt as well as being a founding member of Middle Kingdom Creatives, and a well-known stage troupe among the expat community.

Sean Toland is a scene-stealer known for tackling challenging roles, especially in productions like Drunk Shakespeare and stage musicals.

And then there's me, Steven McKinney, aka Stevie Mac – you might know me from my work with The Mac Daddies and Easy Street in live music, as well as my voice acting and stage performances. It's an honor to be part of such a talented cast!

All proceeds from the show will go to Furry Tales, why did you pick this charity to donate to?
We decided as a cast to support Furry Tales with all proceeds from Jest Quest being donated to them. We all agreed that if we were going to put on this show, it should benefit a good cause, and since we're all animal lovers, the choice was clear. Supporting animals in need in our Beijing community was something we felt strongly about. Furry Tales Animal Rescue does important work, and we're honored to contribute to such a noble cause.

Lastly, how can people stay up to date with news about the show?
You can stay updated by joining our WeChat group (scan the QR code below). We're hopeful that Jest Quest will be a hit, paving the way for future shows. Stage theater and improv are thriving in Beijing, and the popularity of D&D is growing steadily. Jest Quest is a perfect blend to entertain fans of all genres.

Jest Quest will be happening at Xian Bar on Saturady, Jun 22 at 7pm. Presale tickets are RMB 60 and tickets at the door are RMB 80, 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Furry Tales. You can purchase tickets by scanning the QR code in the poster above. 

Xian Bar
1/F, EAST Beijing, 22 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区酒仙桥路22号东隅北京酒店1层

READ: Spice up Your Summer: Hot & Spicy Fest 2024 Tickets Now on Sale

Images: courtesy of Steven McKinney