Times Square will be ringing with show tunes and shouts of BINGO! as Broadway stars and other celebrities take part in BROADWAY BINGO. This new monthly event benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS kicks off Sunday, May 11 (Mother's Day) at Spotlight Live on Broadway.
The premise of BROADWAY BINGO is simple: stars of Broadway and beyond call games of Bingo, with Broadway show tickets and other stage-worthy memorabilia among the prizes for winners of the games.
Charles Busch,
Xanadu star
Jackie Hoffman, Village Voice gossip columnist
Michael Musto,
Joe Kovacs and Madame (of Hollywood Squares and Solid Gold fame), and former child star Mason Reese are among the celebrities who are currently scheduled to call Bingo games. Musical performances will be offered by the cast of Naked Boys Singing,
Joyce Dewitt (of Three's Company fame), and Amber Martin, with a few special surprises planned throughout the night. Additional stars are signing up daily. Lineup is subject to change.
The prizes given throughout the evening to Bingo winners include tickets to shows such as Saved, Altar Boys,
The 39 Steps, Passing
Strange,
Avenue Q,
Joan Rivers Live at The Cutting Room, Substitution, Naked Boys Singing, Tony & Tina's Wedding, Awesome 80's Prom, Gilbert & Sullivan at City Center, My First Time, Cry Baby,
Xanadu and more along with unique memorabilia from shows including
Wicked, Spamalot,
Avenue Q,
Hairspray,
Grey Gardens and even Dance of the Vampires.
Future BROADWAY BINGO nights are scheduled for Sunday June 8, and Sunday July 27.
Although games resembling Bingo can be traced back to the sixteenth century, the first modern game of Bingo debuted in 1930, and by 1934 there were more than 10,000 weekly games in the U.S. in churches and recreation centers. The largest game ever played was in New Jersey's Teaneck Armory, with over 60,000 players --- but they didn't give Broadway tickets as prizes!
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS mobilizes the unique abilities within the performing arts to mitigate the suffering of individuals
affected by HIV/AIDS.
BROADWAY BINGO kicks off at 8:00 PM Sunday, May 11 at Spotlight Live, 1604 Broadway (at 49th Street). Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door. Admission price includes three complimentary Bingo cards; additional cards are available for purchase at the door for $2 each or 3 for $5. Tickets may be purchased now by calling 212-352-3101, or online at
BwayBingo.com beginning May 1 at noon. Cocktails and a full dinner menu are available throughout the event.
