Theater Review: 'BINGO Jamboree' at Center Stage Theatre

Center Stage Theatre is hosting the first professional production of the hysterical game/show/party titled “Bingo Jamboree (A Musical with Balls.)” The theater presented a script-in-hand workshop of this show last year. It made its world premiere as a brand-new musical at Center Stage last July, and is returning this August 10-12 before heading to San Diego for its professional debut.

This one-act interactive and immersive musical extravaganza for a mature 18+ audience follows an eccentric group of middle-of-nowhere locals as they prepare for their annual signature event.

With colossal dreams and a grab bag of aspirations, each member of this crew is vying for the big win.

The big Bingo Game is performed live at Cocksville Town Hall and the adults in the audience are warned to play at your own risk. One of the characters admits that there is not a lot of plot, but the action is so funny that we don’t really miss it.

This unique show is based upon a concept by John Skufca, who also wrote the book and did the choreography for the musical. Liz Muller wrote the book and lyrics and was in charge of music direction. The delightfully naughty music was written by C. E. Simon, and include “The Rules,” “B-4 You,” “I’m a Winner,” and “Against All Odds.”

Muller and Skufca share the directing duties, and thank Center Stage Theatre for being “the best and most welcoming theater on the planet. Thank you for inviting us into your family.”

The two creators write in their message that the concept is based on the annual village BINGO nights in small town Ohio that was more than just a game. They add that “As its core, BINGO Jamboree is about community–a place to find common ground, to discover (and rediscover) your inner winner, and most importantly to let your freak flag fly!”

The audience gets to play an actual game of Bingo, choosing their punch card before they enter the theater. They are also given a silly name tag to wear. A handful of audience members are invited to play the game in a seat on the stage, and remain there until a winner is called. Even those sitting at the cabaret tables in the audience have some fun audience participation.

Kit Asfeldt is delightfully naughty in the role of Don Dingleberry. The South Dakota native has been singing on cruise ships for years but happily is back on land to play some BINGO.

Erin Noble is sexy and funny as Debra Dingleberry in a great yellow dress trimmed in red. It is apparent that she has worked as an improvisational comedian and has been featured in multiple immersive productions.

Miami-born actor Esteban Bovo plays Brad. Bovo was the Lonny cover in the wonderful “Rock of Ages” at ACT of Connecticut.

Kelsey Schroeder, a Fargo, ND native, plays the heavily pregnant Mary Jo. She has spent the last six years performing at sea.

Melanie Byron thankfully gets to reprise the role of Nanny, the senior citizen with a light up walker, determined to take it all in the BINGO game (“I Will be Queen.”) Byron played this same role in the workshop presentation and is the only actor to do so. She is a Shelton native and has been working at Center Stage for many years and most recently appeared as Carol Strong in “Catch Me If You Can.”

Emily McCormick uses her powerful singing voice to perform the role of Sister Maddie Lawrence and nailed the comic timing. Joseph Piercey from Memphis, TN, plays the dim-witted Glen and Michael Korner covers the improbable dual role of the janitor of the BINGO hall (“I Do the Maintenance”) and Jesus.

The wonderful Justin Zenchuk, who covered the role of Don in the workshop, was the technical director. House lights come up gently when we are expected to be watching our BINGO card. I found the sound a bit uneven on the night I attended, but that may have been just me.

Costume design by Muller is perfectly aligned to each of the strong characters, and expect a golden transformation for the finales. Scenic design by Kathy Fox works for the BINGO hall and there is a light up BINGO board and a fancy ball slide. There are some silly props designed by Liz Muller, Kathy Fox and Michelle Haywood. Don’t miss the holy scooter that Jesus rides.

“BINGO Jamboree” is presented without an intermission. The show will be presented cabaret style at tables of 4 or 8, inviting patrons to bring their own refreshments. Remaining performances are Friday, August 11 7:30pm and Saturday, August 12 1pm and 7:30pm.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.
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