After his historic return to the Annoyance Theater ( 851 W. Belmont ) in 2015, Dick O'Day is back for one show only Sunday, May 21, 5 — 7 pm with a special edition of his one of a kind bingo experience. Welcome to Dick O'Day's Big, Lovely Countdown to Summer Bingo, the show that has played the heartland ( and beyond ) for over 25 years.
Wacky bingo meister Dick O'Day ( portrayed by Emmy Award-winning performer Richard Knight, Jr. ) and his colorful, daffy assistant Judy Stein ( portrayed by acclaimed actress Rusty Schwimmer ) guide players through multiple rounds and variations of the traditional bingo game, each given a hilarious, unique—and very bawdy—spin by the host the Chicago Reader has said, "might get beaten up on a regular basis if he weren't so damn funny."
This edition of Dick O'Day's Big, Lovely Bingo will benefit Pride Action Tank, a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to addressing challenges faced by individuals and groups within the LGBTQIA communities through a collaborative process of inquiry, advocacy and action. See prideactiontank.org .
Tickets are $15 at the door ( if available—advance tickets highly recommended ) and are available: theannoyance.com/events/event/dick-odays-big-lovely-countdown-to-summer-bingo/ .
Dick and Judy warm up the audience with a little Jane Fonda aerobics, select guests to act as temporary "prize models," interact with unsuspecting spectators, read selections from Dick's renowned collection of "liberry books," try to keep Judy from going into a trance, and make sure the game playin' and kitschy prizes ( all lovingly chosen by Judy ) keep a'comin'! For this round of letter callin' Melvin the intern ( portrayed by comic actor Tim Heurlin ) will be on help to assistant and perhaps entertain with a smidgen of his latest stand-up act. As always, the show includes a surfboard's worth of themed prizes and enough laughs to chase away the winter blues. Speaking of blue — that's how Dick-n-Judy work and this show most definitely, most decidedly ain't for the kiddies. Adults only, no one under the age of 15 admitted to the theater.
BIOS
DICK O'DAY
Known alternatively as "the One the Only" and "the Only the One," Dick "My Bizness Is Show" O'Day has been entertaining groups of 50 or more for more than 60 years. From trade shows and industrials to ringside tables at the Copa Hut, to the soundstages of Boise, Idaho, O'Day's career has covered it all. Never one to speak a sentence when a paragraph will do, O'Day is loved and admired by every single person he meets — and his millions of fans have thrilled to his dazzling live and film performances. Whether it be Dick fronting a huge, big orchestra, emceeing the annual Toastmaster General's Shriner Palace Parade, or tinkling the 88's himself, O'Day has never left an audience wanting anything more than to get away quickly and talk about him to others. He has turned down hundreds of WRITTEN requests ( affidavits on file ) to star in Broadway shows and movies and television specials and series and pilots and commercials to remain in front of the crowds that so lovingly and verbally adore him. Belting out his big hits, clowning with his groupies, offering his hard earned philosophies of life, O'Day is truly the essence of show biz magic. As he opined in his best-selling autobiography, Dick O'Day's Big, Lovely Life, "Life is lovely and big and I love living it!"
Richard Knight, Jr., Dick O'Day's control personality, has worked as a performer for 30 years in the Chicago area on stage and in television. He and Rusty Schwimmer first met at the Limelight nightclub on Halloween night in 1986.
JUDY STEIN
Judy Stein began her career working in the Catskills as the daily announcement and vespers lady and proceeded to have a long and prosperous relationship with the cruise ship industry. After meeting her late, beloved husband Murray, Judy left the business for several years and lived with Murray in an art enclave in the wilds of Terre Haute, Indiana. Following Murray's untimely demise after an unfortunate accident at one of his dry cleaning establishments, Judy returned to the business full throttle, making a splash in Knott's Berry farm as the greeter at the renowned chicken dinner restaurant known for their delicious chicken dinners. She met an infomercial producer and became the Before person in a series of Jack LaLanne Miracle Juicer commercials. This led to her favorite star turn to date. That would be her seven years as Charlotte Rae's stand in on the hit TV sitcom "The Facts of Life." During the run of the show, Judy was able to greet Miss Rae on three separate, DOCUMENTED occasions. Unfortunately, the producers of the show did not think she was a good fit with Cloris Leachman, who replaced Charlotte Rae when she left the show. Always one to turn lemons into limes, Judy returned to the cruise ship industry where she remains a beloved fixture all along the southern hemisphere route. She and Dick O'Day first crossed paths in the mid-1970s. But that is a story for another day. She feels, as the kids would say, "Hashtag blessed."
Rusty Schwimmer, Judy Stein's control personality, has worked as an actress for 30 years in film, television, and on stage. She and Richard Knight, Jr. first met at the Limelight nightclub in 1986 where she was portraying the Bride of Frankenstein.
MELVIN the intern
Melvin is intern to Dick O'Day and Judy Stein. He has a last name which might be Kosterberg, Prescott, Finke, Mulwray, or Cinderfoot. But it is none of those. It's Garland. Plain, simple Melvin Garland. Melvin's background as an acknowledged beauty expert, third shift dog walker, personal valet to a series of ( once ) high profile celebrities, and his day gig as a certified incontinence expert/telemarketer all combined to make him the perfect intern for Dick O'Day and Judy Stein. In-between performing a myriad of tasks, Dick has been helping Melvin to perfect his standup routines while Judy has coached him in the art of greeting customers and putting over a song. Dick and Judy are enormously pleased to have Melvin the intern ( aka Melvin Garland ) as part of their show biz family.
Tim Heurlin, Melvin the intern's control personality, has worked as an actor for several years in film, television, and on stage, with a special emphasis on improv comedy ( which he also teaches ). He met Richard Knight, Jr. in 2016 and appears in Knight's forthcoming psychological horror project, "Blame It On Toby." www.timheurlin.com
THE ANNOYANCE THEATER AND BAR
For 25 years, The Annoyance Theatre has created some of Chicago's finest comedy. Home of the longest running musical Co-ed Prison Sluts, The Annoyance uses improvisation to create new and original plays, musicals, sketch-comedy and more in a vibrant, uncensored atmosphere. All are welcome at The Annoyance ( over 14 years of age ), and while there, they may use the bathroom of their choice! The Annoyance has created over 250 shows, comprised of improvisation, sketch, full-length plays, cabaret, and full-length musicals. Hundreds of people have performed in Annoyance shows, and you see many of them today on stage, in films, and on television. https://theannoyance.com/
PRIDE ACTION TANK
Pride Action Tank is a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to addressing challenges faced by individuals and groups within the LGBTQIA communities through a collaborative process of inquiry, advocacy and action. prideactiontank.org/ .
