Theater Review: Premiere of "BINGO Jamboree" at Center Stage

Shelton - “BINGO Jamboree” is a different type of show that made its premiere at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton. The performance is part musical, part community block party and oh yes, part actual BINGO game. It was technically a staged reading of the show, with scripts in hand, but it was essentially a full-blown production of a brand new work.

The co-creators and directors of “BINGO Jamboree” are John Skufca and Liz Muller. Skufca, who has traveled the world creating shows and experiences, also did the choreography and Muller, who is living the dream as one of the associate musical directors for “SIX The Musical,” served as music director. Some of their fondest memories of growing up in small town Ohio are from the annual village BINGO nights held over Independence Day weekend. The game was an escape for everyone who attended, so at its core, this show 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.”

Managing Director Carla Sullivan saw a social media post from Muller last fall that she was looking for a theater to premiere this show. It was a long road, but well worth the effort. Sullivan said that it was exciting to work with the creators on their work in process.

Think of this performance as a very naughty version of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” There is a bit of final casting before the show begins, with audience members chosen to be briefed backstage and then sit on the stage. It is safe to say that most members of the packed audience that I attended had never seen anything like this before.

The community theater actors that signed up to be part of the cast were both brave and talented. The audience would never know that the Sunday matinee was only day six for this wonderfully cast, having only had four days of rehearsal before their staged reading with plenty of trimmings.

Fiona Bryson (Judy in “White Christmas” at Center Stage) was a hoot in the role of Debra Dingleberry and the always wonderful Justin Zenchuk was her perfect partner in the role of Don Dingleberry. Both performers teach classes at Center Stage, but most of their students would not have been allowed to attend this adult musical.

Melanie Byron of Shelton kept the audience in stitches in her role as Nanny, the senior citizen with a light up walker, determined to take it all in the BINGO game (“I Will be Queen.”) Sandra Fernandes (“White Christmas”) did some praying over her BINGO card as Sister Maddie Lawrence. Colin Flaumenhaft, a graduate of Rollins College in Florida, made his Center Stage debut in the role of the hunky but dim-witted Glenn.

Leah Herde of Fairfield also made her Center Stage debut in the role of the heavily pregnant Mary Jo. Scott Sheldon (“White Christmas” as Mike) had the improbable dual role of the janitor of the BINGO hall (“I Do the Maintenance”) and Jesus. (Remember the appearance of Jesus in “Spelling Bee?”) Colby Trembley of Ansonia, a senior at UConn, played the baby’s father, Brad.

The fun music by New York-based composer C.E. Simon delightfully punctuates the often profane dialogue. The impressive set of the BINGO hall was designed by Skufca and built by the talented Ron Baldwin. Kathy Fox is credited with the scenic design and props that extended to the cabaret tables. The cheeky costumes were designed by Carol Koumbaros and are so appropriate for the various characters that I couldn’t imagine them any other way.

Patrons were given a name tag before they found their table and then were allowed to choose a punch out BINGO card to play along. At the final performance, all of the players with only one space left on their card were called to the stage and the winner was given a crown and sash.

Unfortunately, there was only one weekend to experience this unique, 18+ event. Next up at Center Stage will be “Footloose” opening on July 22 and running for a total of ten performances. October will see “The Marvelous Wonderettes Dream On” on Center Stage, followed by “Meet Me in St. Louis” in September.

Center Stage is located at 54 Grove Street in Shelton.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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