Queen of Bingo at Fredonia Opera

Here's another press release for an event at the Fredonia Opera House.

The Queen of Bingo is a Real Hoot! –

Zany, Interactive Comedy to Play Fredonia Opera House



FREDONIA – In the tradition of the hilarious Harvey Korman/Tim Conway sketches from the classic “Carol Burnett Show,” the 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present the hit stage comedy The Queen of Bingo, hailed as a real “hoot” by the “Sacramento News and Review,” on Friday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m.

Sis and Babe are two sisters “on the other side of 50,” who want to add a little zest, fun and excitement to their lives … but where to find it? BINGO! Sis is a good loser who just loves to play; Babe is a player who must always win. Sis is fit and trim; Babe fights the battle of the bulge. Sis is a widow; Babe is still looking for love. Together, these seemingly opposite siblings will keep you in stitches.

In this interactive comedy the audience gets to join in on the fun during the “Middle Bird Special” – a real Bingo game where one lucky audience member wins a 10-pound frozen turkey! Theatergoers of all ages will howl with laughter as two zany guys (portraying two crazy gals) light up the stage in this madcap comedy hit.

Written by Jeanne Michels and Phyllis Murphy, “The Queen of Bingo” had its world premiere in November 1993 at Chicago’s Buckingham Theatre and opened off-Broadway at the Greenwich House Theatre in November 1996. The show began a national tour in October 2004 which continues through the Opera House performance and beyond.

Shane Partlow, who plays Sis, has been starring in “The Queen of Bingo’s” national tour for the past two seasons. He also has appeared in numerous notable stage productions including “Superzeros” with Noah Wylie’s Blank Theatre Company and “The Sunshine Boys” starring Dick Van Patten & Frank Gorshin at Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theatre. He also has the distinction of playing “Roper” in 22 separate productions of “The Will Rogers Follies” with such stars as John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Perry Stephens and John Davidson.

Partlow also has appeared on television on the hit series “Will & Grace” and “Gilmore Girls.” His feature film work includes roles in the low-budget cult classic “Beauty Queen Butcher” and more recently in “Princess Diaries 2” and in “Georgia Rule” with Jane Fonda and directed by Garry Marshall.

Rowan Joseph stars as Babe. Joseph has worked with seven Academy Award-winning best actors during the course of his diverse career, including Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Spacey, Holly Hunter, Geraldine Page, F. Murray Abraham, Julie Andrews and the legendary Katharine Hepburn. His off-Broadway credits include Soroyan’s “The Time of Your Life” and Gorky’s “Children of the Sun” at the Mirror Repertory Company and in the New York premiere of “The Queen of Bingo.” In Los Angeles, he has played in the Falcon Theatre production of “An Evening with Jack Klugman.” He made his big screen debut as used car salesman Ralphy Newman in the feature film “Raising Helen” starring Kate Hudson. He also played Lord Periot in Disney’s box office hit “The Princess Diaries 2.” On television, he has played guest-starring roles on “Gilmore Girls,” “Arrest & Trial” and “Boston Legal.
Variety calls “The Queen of Bingo” a “terrific group outing, suitable for the entire family!” and says “the laughs are plenty.” The Chicago Tribune calls it “a 90-minute charmer!” Tickets to this one night only-comedy are selling fast at $22 Reserved Seating ($20 for seniors and $18 for Opera House members). Tickets may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716/679-1891 Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. and Saturday, 2-5 p.m. They also may be purchased online any time at www.fredopera.org.

This performance is part of the DFT Communications Spotlight Series, sponsored by DFT Communications. It also is made possible, in part, with public funds from NYSCA, a state agency, and the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County’s only year-round performing arts center, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit organization located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. A complete schedule of events is available at www.fredopera.org