Bingo
by Ilene Reid, Michael Heitzman, David Holcenberg

Name: Bingo
Brand: Ilene Reid
SKU: 9780573700194
Rating: 3.88 (11 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Highlights

Small Cast

Female

Male

90 mins Present Day Ensemble Cast Unit Set/Multiple Settings Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes American

Synopsis

Bingo is a splashy, zippy, fun new musical comedy - great for theatres looking to produce a small musical with a big heart.

Bingo is about a group of die-hard bingo players who stop at nothing to miss their weekly game.

In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long lost friends reunite.

These lovable characters spring to life with a smart, funny script and bouncy, hummable score.

Audiences will be laughing in the aisles when they aren't playing games of bingo along with the cast!

Best friends and Bingo pals Vern, Honey and Patsy 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, had their falling out.

Bernice's sweet, yet headstrong daughter, Alison, 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.

Press Reviews

"The score is bouncy and well-crafted. An exportable small-theater concoction a la Forever Plaid."
— Variety

"A deceptively witty book and spirited performances – creating a hilarious portrait of a peculiar competitive event, much in the way The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee did for elementary school spellers."
— The Associated Press

"Songs to bring down the house!"
— Los Angeles Times

"Warm-hearted, witty musical comedy!"
— Chicago Tribune

"A show the whole family can enjoy."
— Sun Sentinel Miami/Ft. Lauderdale

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Patsy 40s; Somewhat mousey; neurotic; obsessively superstitious, yet underneath all that anxiety lies a rock star who can let it rip! Pop belt to F.	—	40s	40s; Somewhat mousey; neurotic; obsessively superstitious, yet underneath all that anxiety lies a rock star who can let it rip! Pop belt to F.
Honey 40s; Leggy; beautiful, but a little past her prime. She’s an extremely loveable sex kitten if not the brightest of bulbs. Belt/mix to E.	female	40s	40s; Leggy; beautiful, but a little past her prime. She’s an extremely loveable sex kitten if not the brightest of bulbs. Belt/mix to E.
Sam Wonnietski/Frank 40s; Sam is the Bingo caller - tall, rugged, and handsome. He loves his job and takes his calling very seriously. The only thing that can distract him is Honey - the woman of his dreams. In flashbacks, he doubles as FRANK - a long-haired, hippie bingo caller from the past. Baritone to F.	female	40s	40s; Sam is the Bingo caller - tall, rugged, and handsome. He loves his job and takes his calling very seriously. The only thing that can distract him is Honey - the woman of his dreams. In flashbacks, he doubles as FRANK - a long-haired, hippie bingo caller from the past. Baritone to F.
Minnie Martinelli 60s; Friendly bingo hall manager, she’s everyone’s favorite, cute, cuddly grandma. Although this woman could be the oldest in the group, she’s still spry and quick on her feet. She must be extremely comfortable interacting and improvising with the audience and have a good, warm energy. Belt up to C.	female	60s	60s; Friendly bingo hall manager, she’s everyone’s favorite, cute, cuddly grandma. Although this woman could be the oldest in the group, she’s still spry and quick on her feet. She must be extremely comfortable interacting and improvising with the audience and have a good, warm energy. Belt up to C.
Bernice Boodalay 40s; Super mom; genuinely sweet and cheerful. She’s the peacemaker and pie baker, and spreads sunshine wherever she goes....maybe a bit passive aggressive with her friends. Belt to C.	female	40s	40s; Super mom; genuinely sweet and cheerful. She’s the peacemaker and pie baker, and spreads sunshine wherever she goes....maybe a bit passive aggressive with her friends. Belt to C.
Alison Boodalay 20s; Bernice’s daughter - fresh faced, passionate, optimistic, perky and quirky. She is a young, comedic character woman in an ingénue’s body. Must be able to belt F sharp.	female	20s	20s; Bernice’s daughter - fresh faced, passionate, optimistic, perky and quirky. She is a young, comedic character woman in an ingénue’s body. Must be able to belt F sharp.
Vern 40s; Matriarch of the group; funny; robust; stubborn and crusty, but with a good heart buried under her gruff exterior. Mermanesque Broadway belt, showing range and power from low A to a solid C.	female	40s	40s; Matriarch of the group; funny; robust; stubborn and crusty, but with a good heart buried under her gruff exterior. Mermanesque Broadway belt, showing range and power from low A to a solid C.