‘We Gotta Bingo’ director ailing in Minnesota

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The director of “We Gotta Bingo,” an interactive show that opened last week in Chicago, is fighting for his life, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reports.

Ross Young, 53, went into cardiac arrest Thursday at home in Crystal, Minnesota. “He was just sitting at his computer, checking something out, when he went down,” his father-in-law, Walt Will, told the paper.

Young is a specialist in interactive theater and co-directed and starred in a Minneapolis production of “Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding,” later staging the matrimonial comedy in Portland, Cleveland, Baltimore and Salt Lake City. His “We Gotta Bingo” was a hit in the Twin Cities before arriving at Chicago Theatre Works this summer.

“You’re inviting people NOT to a play as much as you are inviting them TO play,” he told the Sun-Times before the “We Gotta Bingo” opening. “We eat, we dance, we sing, we tell stories, we laugh. In our complex, technology-infused world, this is a place where people can connect and have fun and play.”

Bill  Collins, the Fenwick High grad who created “We Gotta Bingo,” was heading to Minneapolis to see Young on Monday.

“It was shock to me and the cast and crew to get news about Ross,” he said in a statement. “We have been following the situation and keeping him in our  thoughts and prayers. Ross is an incredible director and artistic talent.  In this tough time, delivering this high-energy show each evening that makes so many people laugh has provided us solace while we look forward to Ross’ speedy recovery and continued involvement in the maintenance of this show.”

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