Game shows were briefly in vogue Off Broadway early this season with Lifegame and Game Show. But no one attempted a musical. In Hermosa Beach, California, they've gone where Off Broadway didn't: the city's Playhouse now stages Bingo, a new musical comedy by Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid and David Holcenberg. April 24-May 6. Glenn Casale directs.

Bingo follows seven die-hard bingo players way too involved in the ritual games held in the basement of St. Bartholomew's Church. There's a fifteen year old feud brewing and even the audience gets sucked into a round of bingo. Heitzman, Reid and Holcenberg co-wrote the song "Throw That Girl Around" from Swing! and the musical Vices with singer-performer Everett Bradley.

Bingo features John Bisom, Heather Lee, Beth Malone, Mary Jo Mecca, Lisa Robinson, K.T. Vogt and Wendy Worthington.

Opening night is set for April 27. Tickets are $35. Hermosa Beach Playhouse is Pier Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway. For reservations, call (310) 372-4477. Hermosa Beach Playhouse is on the web at http://www.hermosabeachplayhouse.com.

— By Christine Ehren