Blackhurst Replaces Crumb in Off-Bway Musical Bingo, Opening Nov. 7

MAC Award-winner Klea Blackhurst will take over for Ann Crumb in the new off-Broadway musical Bingo, which will open on Monday, November 7, 2005 at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street). Previews began on October 21st.

Directed by Thomas Caruso (Resident Dir., Mamma Mia),  Bingo has a book by Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid, with lyrics and music by Heitzman, Reid and David Holcenberg.

 

"In the environmental musical comedy, the audience gets to join in the Bingo game at Hamerin County's St. Luke's Church basement, where they will meet – among others – Vern, Honey and Patsy, three pals that have driven through a terrible thunderstorm in the name of their weekly obsession," state press notes. "In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and estranged friends reunite, sending everyone home a winner."

 

Bingo also stars Liz McCartney (Mamma Mia!, Taboo) as Vern, Chevi Colton (The Insect Comedy, City Center) as Minnie, Tony-nominee Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella) as Honey, Beth Malone (Babes in Arms, L.A. Reprise) as Alison, Janet Metz (Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway revival) as Patsy, and Patrick Ryan Sullivan (42nd Street, Broadway revival) as Sam/Frank. Blackhurst will play Bernice/Joan.

Blackhurst won a MAC Award for Everything the Traffic Will Allow, her tribute to Ethel Merman. She has also performed Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway, and has been seen off-Broadway in Radio Gals, Oil City Symphony and By Jupiter.

With choreography by Lisa Stevens (Ass't. Choreog., Bombay Dreams), Bingo features scenic design by Eric Renschler (As Long as We Both Shall Laugh), costume design by Carol Brys, lighting design by John Viesta and sound design by Lewis Mead (Urinetown). Bingo features musical direction and orchestrations by Steve Bishop.

 

Bingo will play Mondays at 8 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (There are no performances on Wednesday evenings or Thursdays).

 

Tickets for Bingo are $65 and are now available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200. For more information, please visit www.bingothemusical.com.