BINGO, billed as “a winning new musical” that allows audiences to play along with the game of chance, will be performed by a cast of local talent at the Marion Palace Theatre May Pavilion on April 4, 5, 6, 2014.
The comedy musical, BINGO is about a group of die-hard bingo players who will stop at nothing to play their weekly game. In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long lost friends reunite.
Best friends and Bingo pals Vern (Julia Vanderhoff), Honey (Kelly Andrews) and Patsy (Margaret Bowman) brave a terrible storm in order to attend the yearly celebration of the birth of Bingo and tribute to its founder, Edwin S. Lowe. As the storm knocks out power at the Bingo Hall, Patsy and Honey remind each other of the ominous night fifteen years ago that began in the same way. In flashback, Honey tells us about the night Vern and her best friend, Bernice (Melissa Hoffman), had their falling out. Bernice’s sweet, yet headstrong daughter, Alison (Danielle Knight), enters the Bingo hall in disguise – Bernice’s health is failing, and Alison is determined, with the help of Bingo, to reunite her mother with her long-lost best friend.
Rounding out the cast of lovable characters is Andy Harper as the Bingo caller Sam Wonnietski and Sharon Gale as the Bingo hall owner Minnie Martinelli.
“When I read the script for this musical, I fell in love with it,” shares Director Clare Cooke. “The show has a cast of hilarious characters and almost everyone has played the game of Bingo at one time or another and can certainly relate. I’ve always loved shows that interact with the audience, and this one will have you laughing as you play Bingo along with the cast. You may even win a prize! No need to bring your daubers, we provide all the fun!”
As Cooke stated, the musical is interactive as each audience member is given multiple Bingo cards with sliders attached for marking the cards and playing games of Bingo along with the cast. The music and lyrics run from fun and silly to sad and hopeful, resulting in a unique show that is sweet, endearing, and hysterical.
Choreographer, Kristi Wink agrees the interactive element of BINGO keeps the show fresh and spontaneous each night. “The cast is comprised of such fantastic local talent with a knack for comedic timing and beautiful voices. Not only will the audience be entertained with song and dance, but they can also challenge their friends to a few games of Bingo. Bring your good luck troll dolls.”
Therest of theArtistic Team includes Producer – Andy Harper, Music Director – Dee Ehrman, Set Design & Construction – Todd Meadows, Stage Manager – Barb Yaksic, and Assistant Stage Manager – Rhonda Arnold.
Performance dates for BINGO! The Winning Musical in the Palace Theatre May Pavilion are scheduled for Friday, April 4 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are available now for $20. The show is sponsored by Marion Community Foundation Mary H. Hollaway Fund and funded by the Ohio Arts Council.
BINGO is sponsored in part by Marion Community Foundation Mary H. Hollaway Palace Theatre Fund. Funding provided by Ohio Arts Council. Media sponsor is WMRN-AM. For more information, please contact the Palace box office at 740/383-2101 or visit the Palace website at www.marionpalace.org. The box office is located at 270 W. Center St. in downtown Marion. Box office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and closed Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
About Marion Online News
