REVIEWS of the musical theatre
production of BINGO! at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse ~
From the L.A. Times:
'BINGO!...is amiable entertainment, in sometimes
surprising ways. While it has fun with the lower-middle-class culture of
bingo players, it also takes pokes at the conventions of musical theater
and any kind of feel-good fiction in general. Its creators--Michael Heitzman,
Ilene Reid and David Holcenberg--establish a tone of self-deprecating comedy
that allows everyone to laugh without making anyone feel especially picked
on.
"Bingo" doesn't take its plot nearly as seriously as
its belting. Anyone who wants to be in this show should be prepared to
unveil some impressive pipes, for just about all of the characters have
at least one big solo that's supposed to blow the house down. The women
of Hermosa Beach succeed admirably in this regard. Worthington, in particular,
makes Vern a virtual hurricane.'
From Backstage West:
'Heather Lee as the blonde bimbo Honey...displays
some nifty comic timing, as she sets her romantic sights on the nerdy bingo
caller Shep (John Bisom). Bisom, often a dashing leading man in local
CLO musicals, makes an effective segue to character actor in his loopy
portrayal of the amiable hayseed. Wendy Worthington as the control-freak
Vern, to whom bingo success is a matter of life or death, serves up some
wry comedy.
The cast is rounded out with additional good performances:
K.T. Vogt in two roles (bingo hostess and a histrionic would-be actress);
Lisa Robinson as a former member of the bingo group; Beth Malone as an
actress with a secret, and Mary Jo Mecca as a superstitious kook, amusingly
costumed by Thomas G. Marquez in gaudy attire befitting a third-rate Vegas
lounge singer...'
From CBS News:
'Bingo is big! ...becoming more popular than a blackout.
At the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, not only do you get to play the game, you
also have the pleasure of hearing folks like Beth Mallone, who treats the
audience to a show within the show. Everybody's a winner there!'
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