Once in a while something really captures your attention. Last Friday, May 14, The Fearless Players presented “The Gong Show” at Eddie Ryan’s in Lancaster. The cast gave quite a performance full of heart and soul and many laughs that left the audience in stitches.

Their three night performance of “The Gong Show” was The Fearless Players’ debut. Brian and Elaine Heckler, lifelong Village of Lancaster residents, have been involved in many of the areas productions, but many of the companies have always lacked something and that was creative control.

“A lot of the actors and actresses wanted that creative control so we founded The Fearless Players,” said Elaine.

“The Gong Show” was the perfect debut for the theatre troupe, who wrote the performance themselves. The performance included; Mary Barrett, Dominic Dommer, technical director, Maria Droz, costumer and property mistress, Nick Gerard, Amy Hanley, Zach Haumesser, puppeteer, Elaine, coordinator and assistant to the director, Courtney Hoerner, Bill Kennedy, Adam Kreutinger, costumer and set decoration, Jenny Kulwicki, Michelle Kwiatkowski, Sean Murphy, choreographer, Jane Navarro, music and stage manager, Bill Steffan and Darren Wojcicki.
Brian Heckler directed the performance and music was provided by The Time Pirates.

“The Gong Show” served up the same atmosphere as the classic 1970s and 1980s television show provided. Charlie served as master of ceremonies with his sidekick Candy. There was a panel of three judges, which were the classic cliches. There was the talent agent who was harsh and dramatic, the pretty boy who liked the women shaking their assets in front of him, and the former child star that was still the height of a child.

Talent acts came out to perform in front of the audience and the judges. If a judge hated a performance, or if the audience began booing the talent, they rang the gong. If the judges liked the performance the talent would keep on performing until their act ceased. A sign with the word “applause” would light up following each great act.

Charlie, played by Haumesser, was a great MC. The funniest part was when his mother came out of the trunk she was stuffed in. She was the cliche New York City Jewish mother. That same actress also played in the Uptown Girls act, sang “Before He Cheats,” and provided exceptional vocals at the end of the play, in which she sang one song a capella and other songs accompanied by The Time Pirates. She was definitely talented, as all were though in their own ways.

There were a myriad of fantastic acts and then there were the classic duds. Standout acts included a Madonna inspired “Like A Virgin,” in which she crawled across the floor, duct tape pants man singing “Come Together” and halfway through the song pulling out a beer that was located in his pants the whole time, the Will Farrell look-a-like dancing a ballet routine and the Janis Joplin look-a-like that sang with heart and soul.

A fan favorite was the Chip and Dales performance, which was ripped from the Saturday Night Live classic of Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze. One was ripped, the other had his jiggly parts, but had the guts to take it all off.
Another fan favorite was the Sonny and Cher performance, given by one talented fellow. Half of him was Cher the other half of him was Sonny. It was a fantastic display of schizophrenia.
If there was one word to describe “The Gong Show” it would definitely be fun. If one thing the audience went away from the performance with that would be added years with all of the laughing and joy provided by The Fearless Players.

In between the performances, food was served courtesy of Eddie Ryan’s. There was also snacks on the table before the show and a coffee, tea and dessert station following dinner.

Throughout the show commercials were interspliced including a Mountain Dew Energy Gum commercial and a Shake Weight commercial. Puppets also sang “I’m A Believer,” which was incredible.

“The Gong Show” was audience interactive and at the end of the show music, singing and dancing continued into the night.

If this was The Fearless Players’ first show, it leaves the audience hoping and wishing for more and wondering what will be their next performance.

---

Tell Us what You Think: