It’s Friday night at Duke’s Bingo Barn, and everyone who comes to the Station Theatre for the show is part of the game! The evening’s focus is on Carol (Ariane Sockett) and Sandi (Amy Thomlinson), best friends who will try to outwit Irene (Dona Brown), the septuagenarian “Queen of the Bingo Barn.”
Running the game, Lou (Sam Saikaley), is the ex-rock ’n’ roll frontman bingo caller with his own unrealized dreams. Carol is looking for a change of luck, Sandi is looking for a chance at love, and Irene is looking for the respect both her age and winning bingo record have earned her.
Ride the emotional and comical roller-coaster with Sandi as she reflects on mistakes of the past, while pining for Lou. Can she overcome her broken heart from past lost love to play for the jackpot? Carol says she cares about what’s going on with Sandi, but she’s obviously distracted. With some annoying meddling from Irene, Sandi is able to get to the bottom of Carol’s preoccupation, which ends up being a surprising revelation. In the meantime, Lou has his own melancholic self-doubts. Don’t be surprised if the four bingo enthusiasts team up to support each other in touching and hilarious ways.
Bingo Ladies is a Canadian musical written by Grant Tilley. Prior to the Station Theatre production, it enjoyed critically successful professional productions before Ottawa’s indie women productions partnered with Perth Studio Theatre to put it on the stage and raise $12,000 for a family in crisis in 2016. Bingo Ladies in Smiths Falls is directed by C.Lee Bates and Joan Frommer. Lynda Daniluk is the producer, Bev McArthur is the choral director, Rowena Pearl is the accompanist, and Dani Corbishley is the choreographer. Many dedicated volunteers round out the team with sound, lighting, set design and build, props, costumes and stage management. The music is rollicking, the cast is fabulously talented, the laughs are plentiful, and a tear or two are possible. Varied themes include friendship, love, loss, addictions, a troll named Thor, and following your dreams, to name a few.
The play runs for 7 performances over two weekends, with 7:30 performances on April 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18, and 2pm shows on April 12 and 19. Seat selection is now offered when you order your tickets online at smithsfallstheatre.com, even if you have season vouchers — just use the voucher code in your order. Orders can also be made at Special Greetings, 8 Russell Street East in Smiths Falls, Monday through Saturday from 9–5 (or by calling the store at 283–2244). Adult tickets are $25, students are $10. The full season of plays has something for everyone, so visit the website to find out what’s coming up at The Station Theatre.