When you think of New Year’s Eve, you probably think of parties, celebrations and fantastically fun times. Add to that, belly laughs, slapstick comedy, and improvised frivolity, and now you’ve got yourself the BATS annual NYE Show. BATS Improv invites you to end the year with us at a rollicking party of a show: Improvised Farce on Tuesday, December 31st at 8pm at the Bayfront Theater in San Francisco.

For those who don’t know what a Farce is, no worries – comic misunderstandings are part of it so you know more than you think. There’s also ludicrously improbable situations, over-the-top characters and slapstick physicality. As the players commit to a ridiculous world, making extreme choices and riding the wave of comedy that ensues, the audience is swept up in the madness. The format is fast and occasionally teeters on the edge of chaos, but somehow finds its way to a satisfying if unexpected conclusion. It’s a recipe that has made Farce a returning favorite to the BATS schedule since 2013.

BATS Company member Rafe Chase is directing this year’s show as he has for several past iterations of the format, including BATS’ first New Year’s Eve Farce last year. The 2024 show will be set in a New York hotel on New Year’s Eve 1934.  

Chase eagerly awaits this year’s romp, “Last year's show was so fun and such an audience pleaser and the most attended BATS show that year. And now we get to do it again! Our show begins at 8:00 PM and will be over by 10:00, which will allow you to go off to other holiday festivities or be back home before the clock strikes twelve!”

Tickets for Improvised Farce: A New Year’s Eve Comedy range from $15-$25, and may be purchased online at www.improv.org or in person beginning half-hour before the performance, subject to availability. All performances take place in BATS Bayfront Theatre in the historic Landmark Building B on the Fort Mason campus in San Francisco. Paid parking is available in the adjoining lot.

Genre: comedy, farce

YouTube Videos: Q&A #1 Q&A #2 Q&A #3 Q&A #4

Directed by Rafe Chase

Show Date and Time

Tuesday 12/31 8pm

Tickets: $20 Student/ Senior $25 for General Admission

Cast: Karen Brelsford, Rafe Chase, Dave Dennison, Stephanie Dennison, Lisa Rowland, Rebecca Stockley, Lisa Wang, Laura Wachtel, Nikki Zapanta

Live Improvised Lighting by Craig Good

Live Improvised Music by Joshua Raoul Brody

BATS Policies:

All sales are final. Sorry no refunds.

Seniors are ages 62 and up.

Youth are ages 18 and under.

Parental guidance: Improv can be unpredictable! While most BATS performances are suitable for teens and some adventurous middle-schoolers, we recommend considering what other entertainment your child enjoys. We provide general show descriptions—like rom-com, comedy, or drama—and will flag any content that may include violence, such as in "Improvised Kung Fu." Ultimately, we trust parents to use their judgment in deciding what's appropriate for their child.