Erik Estrada
Editor-in-chief
Rolling dice and big laughs took center stage as “Monsternomicon,” a live Dungeons & Dragons improv show, celebrated its four-year anniversary at Woodlawn Comedy on Sept. 12.
The show was an immersive experience with timely comedy and references to current media supported by a cast composed of passionate and talented actors.
The night was set at Woodlawn Comedy, in the historic Woodlawn Theatre at 1920 Fredericksburg Road in San Antonio’s Deco District. The building is lit by an eye-catching neon green sign saying “Woodlawn,” and a red carpet leading to the entrance of the building.
Inside, the audience began to fill seats, buzzing with anticipation.
Once the crowd settled in, the show kicked off with remarks from host and founder Andre Villaplana. His opening included thanks to the audience for their support, comedic commentary on past reviews, and warm greetings.
The show featured three main adventurers: Virgil Ballard, played by Brennan Loy; Organa Grumblethorn, played by Stephanie Melcher; and Orville Gavarthan, played by Venny Mortimer. Villaplana served as dungeon master, guiding the story.
The adventurers were on a quest to return monsters to the “Monsternomicon,” a magical book of creatures.
From conquering dungeons to getting seduced by skeletons, each scene was fully acted out, with the cast committing to the world they were building.
Some of the most memorable moments came when The Big Toe Gang, a sketch comedy troupe, joined the stage to add new twists to the story. In one scene, a skeleton in the dungeon temporarily transformed into a beautiful woman and tried to seduce cowboy Virgil Ballard as he made his way to rescue his friends.
Everything was improvised in real time, mirroring the unpredictability of a real Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Their quick reactions and comedic timing kept the story moving.
Audience interaction was at the heart of the show. At key moments, Villaplana tossed a D20, a 20-sided die, into the crowd, letting audience rolls decide the adventurers’ fate. The oversized foam die, about the size of a basketball, was tossed between the crowd and the stage throughout the night. The result was a show that felt alive and unique, with both cast and audience shaping the journey together.
The biggest reactions came when the die landed on a 20, or referred to as a natural 20 in the D&D community. Perfect rolls drew cheers and laughter, sending the energy in the room soaring.
The show delivered top-notch comedy, an engaging story and an environment that felt welcoming to all. According to Villaplana, the performance was designed to appeal to every kind of audience member, whether they had attended “Monsternomicon” before, were frequent Dungeons & Dragons players, improv fans or just looking for a fun night out. It delivered on all counts.
The show rolled a natural 20 on comedy and was a critical success on a great night.
