Audience is the big winner in PowPAC’s ‘Bingo’

It’s not often that the audience becomes an active participant in a theatrical production. So PowPAC’s performance of the musical “Bingo” is the clear — and fun — exception.

“Bingo! The Winning Musical” is about just what one would think — a bingo game. But it is also about much more than that, as Alison Boodalay (played by PowPAC veteran Kay Marian McNellen) tries to repair a rift that developed 15 years earlier between her mother, Bernice Boodalay (Gabriela Nelson, in her PowPAC debut), and fellow bingo player Vern (PowPAC veteran Raylene J. Wall, who co-directed the show with Mary L. Smith). Since that night the former best friends have not spoken nor seen each other again. Now that Bernice is gravely ill, Alison wants to reunite Bernice and Vern.

Set in the present day during a severe thunderstorm at a VFW Hall in the Midwest, the musical has many subplots including a potential budding romance between bingo player Honey (Angie Doran) and the bingo caller (PowPAC veteran Tony Bejarano, who plays the dual roles of Sam Wonnietski and Frank). Joining them in the cast are bingo player Patsy (Austen Eames) and bingo game organizer Minnie Martinelli (Lisa Ritz.)

The show is fun and there are many light-hearted moments, especially the musical numbers. To explain the characters’ various perspectives on what led to the rift between Bernice and Vern there are several flashbacks throughout the two-act show. Ironically, that night was much like the present-day one, in that there was also a bad storm, the ladies arrived late to their bingo game, lost their regular seats to other bingo players and the game featuring the grand prize came down to a few players each being one number away.

Three times the audience is invited to play along with the cast, with token prizes presented. Audience winners also get their picture taken, which is displayed on the set’s winners board.

The musical is well-performed and if this offering is any indication, PowPAC officials might want to consider doing more musicals since the all-volunteer community theater does not typically do them, opting for comedies and dramas. The actors sing to pre-recorded music and dance to choreography set by McNellen. The audience involvement was a nice touch and the flashbacks well placed throughout.

The one drawback was “Ratched’s Lament,” the final musical number in Act 1. It was used to illustrate Alison’s career as an actress, but just seemed unnecessary and was a bit boring. The other 16 songs moved the storyline along nicely.

“Bingo! The Winning Musical” can be seen at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus 2 p.m. Sundays through June 7 at PowPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre, located at 13250 Poway Road in the Lively Center. Parking is free and an elevator is located behind the theater for those wanting to avoid the stairs.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $22 for students, seniors and active duty military. There is a $1.50 handling charge per ticket for online purchases at www.powpac.org. The surcharge is slightly higher for tickets bought at the door. For questions, contact PowPAC at boxoffice@powpac.org or call 858-679-8085.