Klea Blackhurst Replaces Ann Crumb in Off-Broadway's Bingo

Klea Blackhurst is joining the cast of Bingo, the off-Broadway musical, on October 31. She is replacing Ann Crumb, who left the production after the final dress rehearsal due to "an artistic decision, made by the producers," according to a production spokesperson. In the interim understudy Debra Cardona is performing in the show, which began previews at St. Luke's Theatre on October 24.

Blackhurst is best known for her solo tribute to Ethel Merman, Everything the Traffic Will Allow, which has been seen all across the country. She has numerous other concerts, including Autumn in New York: Vernon Duke's Broadway. Her theater credits include mountings of Anything Goes, Oil City Symphony, Radio Gals, By Jupiter and Winnie the Pooh.

Crumb is not the first person to exit Bingo. During rehearsals, it was announced that Heather MacRae had left, with Liz McCartney joining the cast in her stead.

Bingo, directed by Thomas Caruso, is still scheduled to officially open off-Broadway on November 7. In addition to Blackhurst and McCartney, Bingo features Chevi Colton, Liz Larsen, Beth Malone, Janet Metz and Patrick Ryan Sullivan.