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Bingo
The Winning New Musical
Book by Michael Heitzman & Ilebe Reid
Music & Lyrics by Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid & Devid Holcenberg
Directed by Glen Casale
At the Apollo Theater
2540 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
Call 773-935-6100, tickets $46.50
Wednesdays at 2 & 8 pm
Thursdays & Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 5 & 8 pm
Sundays at 3:30 pm
Running time is 90 minutes with no intermission
Limited Open run
Bingo is a winner. Bingo!!!!!!
I must confess, I have never player Bingo and I can’t really appreciate all the fuss yet neither can non sports fans appreciate the CUBS, BEARS or BULLS. Bingo, The Musical, is a fun lady’s night out yet many men in the opening night audience seem to laugh and enjoy thus light weight ‘feel good’ show. I’ll become a reporter now.
Bingo is a formula musical geared to females who want a show for their gal’s night out. It is a funny show that is pleasing yet musically not too strong that finds the songs sung at full blast. But, so what, Bingo is pure fun that engages the audience as it actually has us participate in several Bingo games with small cash rewards.
The cast is lead by the fabulous, commanding leading lady—Renee Mathews whose comic timing and grandmotherly charm wins us instantly as the host of the Bingo game. She is surrounded by three bingo-obsessed friends: Vern (Cheryl Avery), Patsy (Neda Spears) and Honey (Jacquelyn Ritz). These women are fanatic bingo players, who knew? Bernice (Anne Gunn) and her daughter Alison (Natalie Berg) round out the cast. Steve Calzaretta is the macho bingo caller. We like and laugh at these bingo junkies as they worship the game in a fun laced frolic into pure escapism.
So gather a group of gals and head to the Apollo Theater and have some fun. It’s alright to see light-weight shows sometimes. Variety makes theatre great. Bingo appeals to a large, non-theatre audience, that may be its ultimate worth.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2007
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