‘Bingo’ is a Winning Musical Romp

. .

Break out your daubers. The Cosmopolitan Cabaret has been converted into an old fashioned Bingo Hall, and the results are hilarious. “Bingo, the Winning Musical” is the newest production at the intimate downtown venue, and if opening night is an indicator, the show should have a very successful run.

Following the Cosmopolitan Cabaret’s successful formula of lightweight musicals featuring silly plots, zippy tunes and a charming small ensemble cast, “Bingo” centers around a 15-year feud, a blood transfusion, and Bingo “Regulars” Vern, Patsy and Honey, who brave a fierce storm to attend their nightly game of Bingo, in the basement of St. Bartholomew’s Church. The audience becomes a part of the production – daubers and bingo cards await ticket holders – and a few lucky audience members will win prizes.

The talented and energetic cast includes Bonnie Bailey-Reed in the dual roles of Minnie and Bernice, Jessica Crouch as the scene stealing Alison, Nikki D’Amico as the love-starved – oft married Honey, Lisa Raggio as the brassy Vern (force to be reckoned with) , Eydie Alyson as Patsy and the lone male castmember, Michael Stevenson as Bingo caller Frank. Alyson may be familiar from last year’s Cosmopolitan Cabaret production of “Suds,” and Raggio from her many TV roles.

Although the show’s musical numbers are enjoyable, if not entirely memorable, Jessica Crouch’s show stopping performance of “Ratched’s Lament” – from the musical adaptation of “One Flew Over the Cookoo’s Nest” brings down the house.

California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale directs the show with his usual deft, yet light hand. Musical director Michael Paternostro keeps things moving right along.

“Bingo, the Winning Musical” is scheduled to run through January 8th at The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K Street.
Tickets are available by phone at (916) 557-1999, online at tickets.com , in person at the CMT box office at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street (Mon-Sat 9-6) or The Cosmopolitan Cabaret box office, 1000 K Street (only open two hours before show time.)

‘Suds’ is Good Clean Fun

. .

The effervescent musical romp, “Suds” has opened at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret, and the production promises Sacramento audiences an evening of bubbly fun.

If you are familiar with shows like “Forever Plaid” (which had a highly successful 11-month run at the Cosmopolitan) or last season’s Music Circus production of “The Marvelous Wonderettes”, you already know what’s in store.

Loaded with good clean fun, bubbling energy and some of the ’60s greatest pop hits, the show’s plot, is mainly a devise to tie together over 50 favorite songs from the ’60s like “Where the Boys Are,” “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,”Respect,” “I Feel Good” and “Do You Want to Know a Secret.” The story centers around a young woman and her guardian angels who come to teach her about finding true love in, of all places, a laundromat.

The outstanding four-person cast includes Melissa WolfKlain as Cindy, the sweet, gawky laundromat worker, recently dumped by her pen pal for someone with better penmanship.  Eydie Alyson plays Dee Dee, a perky and optimistic guardian angel sent to help Cindy, and Sacramento native, Nanci Zoppi plays her tougher and brassier counterpart, Marge.  Multiple male role in the show are played by Michael Dotson, a favorite of Music Circus audiences for his more than 30 productions under the Tent.

California Musical Theatre Artistic Director Glenn Casale directs the show with a deft, yet light hand and choreographer by Joann Lewis keeps things moving.  Casale has staged musicals under the Tent at Music Circus for 20 years, most recently 2010′s Spamalot and Funny Girl.  The musical director is Michael Paternostro

“Suds” runs through Tuesdays through Sundays until January 11, 2010 at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K Street. Tickets are available by calling (916) 557-1999, at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, or through Tickets.com.

‘Forever Plaid’ is Warm and Wonderful

. .

The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, Sacramento’s first completely new professional theatre experience in 20 years has just opened, and if the inaugural production is a sign of things to come, this beautiful new 200 seat venue will be around for a long, long time.

“Forever Plaid” is the deliciously goofy and charming story of The Plaids, a classic 1950s all-male singing group who somehow get to return from the Great Beyond for one night, to perform the show they never got to when they were alive.

A show with “Heart and Soul” and loads of “Magic Moments,” “Plaid” features four lads, Sparky (Chris Crouch,) Jinx (J.D. Daw,) Smudge (Sean Patrick Hopkins) and Frankie (Justin Packard,) who met in their high school’s audio-visual club. Discovering that they shared a love for music and entertaining, the boys got together and dreamed of becoming like their idols “The Four Freshmen, the Hi-Lo’s and the Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge’s family plumbing supply company, they became The Plaids. Sadly, on their way to their first gig, they were killed in a collision with a bus full of ‘parochial virgins’ on their way to see the Beatles historic debut on The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9, 1964

A delightful look back at a kinder and gentler time when families ate dinner together and “The Perry Como Show” and “Ed Sullivan” were a must-see TV for everyone, “Plaid” fondly recalls the kinds of musical hits that were popular before rock ‘n’roll. Blending perfect 4-part harmony, the melodies run the gamut, from “Papa Loves Mambo,” “Three Coins in a Fountain” and “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” to a tribute to Perry Como (“Sing to Me Mr. C” and “Catch a Falling Star” as well as a wonderful three minute version of “The Ed Sullivan Show,” right down to the spinning plates and the little mouse, Topo Gigio. A show highlight is the audience participation calypso number, “Day-O”, “Matilda.”

Although each performer is in fine voice, with the shy Chris Crouch singing baritone, the earnest and bespectacled Sean Patrick Hopkins providing the bass tones, J.D. Daw’s soaring tenor, and the energy-packed Justin Packard as Frankie, the group’s leader, the quartet is at its best when blending perfect a’cappella harmonies. Even piano accompanist Chris Schlagel gets into the act, with droll humor and a very funny Carmen Miranda moment.

“Forever Plaid” is silly, sweet and hilarious: Older audience members will fondly remember the tunes of their youth, younger viewers will get a big kick out of the funny and warm-hearted take on the music and moves of another era, and one thing is sure; everyone will love this sentimental journey.

The Cosmopolitan Cabaret is located in the Cosmopolitan Building at 10th and K Streets in Sacramento. Seating includes several tables close to the stage, as well as tiered rows of bar seating. Comfortable, yet sophisticated, the Cabaret is linked to the newest Paragary Restaurant, the Cosmo Cafe. Pre-performance cocktails may be purchased and taken into the Cabaret, and select menu items are available in the theater.

“Forever Plaid” is scheduled for an indefinite run. Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street, or by calling (916) 557-1999. The Cosmopolitan Cabaret Box Office is open two hours prior to show time.

Children under four are not admitted.

The Cosmopolitan Cabaret

1000 K Street, Sacramento
Tickets: (916) 557-1999

California Musical Theatre has launched its first completely new theatre experience in 20 years. In the very heart of Downtown Sacramento, the producer of Music Circus and Broadway Sacramento presents The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, a 200-seat upscale, yet casual space. The Cabaret allows audience members the comfort of either table seating or tiered seating with beverage counters where they may enjoy cocktails and refreshments during the performance in modern metropolitan surroundings.

The Cabaret shares the ground floor of The Cosmopolitan building at 10th and K streets with Cosmo Cafe, a new restaurant from the Paragary’s