THEATER REVIEW: The Queen of Bingo

Millbrook Playhouse has opened for their summer season. Millbrook has been my summer destination for 52 years and it looks as if this is going to be another fantastic season. The play selections run from  Mary Poppins to Dial M for Murder by way of Ring of Fire. Also, although I was happy to see some new names listed in future programs, I was happy to see some old favorites, too

THE QUEEN OF BINGO was a good choice to open the season. The full house obviously had a great time if the level of laughter was any indication. THE QUEEN OF BINGO may not be heavy in plot line, but fortunately the character actors playing the two sisters, with lots of help from the good Father Mac, had the talent to keep the action going. Each of the two acts was over before I knew it.

We have seen Shannon Agnew before on the stage at Millbrook, but as Babe she had a chance to go really wild. Shannon has the most “crazed” eyes and that alone would have told us that she was out of control, and her use of stage space was beautiful----except of course when she did a perfect Virgin Mary.

Courtney Cook as Sis, on the other hand, allowed us to see her thoughts through  very expressive facial expressions. Her conflict of truly worrying about her sister’s breakdown and concerns about the impression they were making in the bingo hall was touching… and very funny. I hope that Courtney is an actress that we see again. Her comedic timing is very natural and I want to see her in other parts

If you have ever played bingo, you know what an “early bird” is, but have you ever played a “middle bird”? During intermission, Father Mac led the audience through the fun of playing the middle bird for a chance to win a turkey. Father Mac, aka as Aaron Kelly, did a great job of working the audience to the point that the tension was thick. (My friend Norma won the turkey; we were so proud of her.)

THE QUEEN OF BINGO does not have a plot to cause an audience to hold its collective breath. Instead it depends on the interaction of the characters to keep that audience laughing. Lucky for us, it worked.

THE QUEEN OF BINGO will run until Sunday, July 21st in the Poorman Cabaret. Mary Poppins opens on June 18 on the Ryan Main Stage. Call the box office at 570-748-8083 for more information or go online to purchase tickets.