Liz McCartney Cries Bingo for New Musical, Nov. 7

Producers of the upcoming new musical Bingo announced today that Liz McCartney will assume the role of Vern when the show makes its Off-Broadway premiere later this month. Bingo opens on Monday, November 7, 2005 at St. Luke's Theatre (308 West 46th Street).

McCartney assumes the role recently vacated by Heather MacRae, who left the production this past weekend after arriving at a mutual agreement with the show's producers and creative team.

McCartney previously appeared as Vern in the 2003 production of Bingo at the Adirondack Theatre Festival. Since then, she has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! (Rosie), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Flannery) and Taboo (Big Sue). Her other Broadway credits include Dance of the Vampires, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

Directed by Thomas Caruso (Resident Dir., Mamma Mia), preview performances begin on Friday, October 21.  Bingo  has a book by Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid, with lyrics and music by Heitzman, Reid and David Holcenberg.

"In the environmental musical comedy, the audience gets to join in the Bingo game at Hamerin County's St. Luke's Church basement, where they will meet – among others – Vern, Honey and Patsy, three pals that have driven through a terrible thunderstorm in the name of their weekly obsession," state press notes. "In between the number calling, strange rituals and fierce competitions, love blossoms and estranged friends reunite, sending everyone home a winner."

Bingo also stars Tony nominee Ann Crumb (Anna Karenina) as Bernice/Joan, Chevi Colton (The Insect Comedy, City Center) as Minnie, Tony-nominee Liz Larsen (The Most Happy Fella) as Honey, Beth Malone (Babes in Arms, L.A. Reprise) as Alison, Janet Metz (Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway revival) as Patsy, and Patrick Ryan Sullivan (42nd Street, Broadway revival) as Sam/Frank.

With choreography by Lisa Stevens (Ass't. Choreog., Bombay Dreams), Bingo features scenic design by Eric Renschler (As Long as We Both Shall Laugh), costume design by Carol Brys, lighting design by John Viesta and sound design by Lewis Mead (Urinetown). Bingo features musical direction and orchestrations by Steve Bishop.

Bingo will play Mondays at 8 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. (There are no performances on Wednesday evenings or Thursdays).

Tickets for Bingo are $65 and are now available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200. For more information, please visit www.bingothemusical.com.