Game show creator and host Rob Perkins has wandered across the DC metro area community theatre scene like an errant gypsy, performing in 36 productions within the past decade.  Back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, though, he created and hosted a variety of parody game shows, including Gyp-parody, Remotely in Control, and Where in the Heck is Melvin Sanfrancisco?  This is the second straight Capital Fringe Festival in which he has unleashed his latest form of game show zaniness.  Much thanks to Ty, Maureen, Charlene, Katie, Nathen, and Roddy for coming along for the ride.

Hostess Ty Hallmark is, by now, a CapFringe veteran.  She has performed in or directed a Fringe show every year since the inaugural festival in 2006.  Her favorite experience was last year's ensemble performance piece, Iconicity.  In fact, Ty thinks Fringe is so nice, this year, she's going to do it twice(!), appearing not only in Bargain Basement Game Show, but also in Bad Hamlet with The Adequate Players at the Bodega.  Around town, Ty has been seen lately as Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac and Lady Fidget in The Country Wife, both with the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.  Ty has trained at the Globe Theatre and Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, but appreciates the opportunity Fringe presents to throw all that training out the window and get down 'n' funky!!!

Hostess Maureen Shanahan has recently worked with local companies such as Hexagon, The British Players, and the Rude Mechanicals.  Favorite roles she has played include Miss Hannigan in Annie, Bel-Imperia in The Spanish Tragedy, Ariel in The Tempest: A Celtic Musical, and Belinda in Noises Off.  Roles she hopes to play one day include The Witch in Into the Woods, Lady MacBeth in MacBeth, Lucille Ball when someone writes her life story, and is always looking for the opportunity to tap dance.  This fall, you will find her at the Renaissance Festival as the latest Spinal Tap Drummer O'Danny Girl, Daphne O'Danny.

Hostess Charlene V. Smith's credits include Katherine in Love's Labor's Lost (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company), Isabella in Measure for Measure (Rude Mechanicals), Helen in The Cripple of Inishmaan (Silver Spring Stage), and Millie in Picnic (Spotlighters Theatre). She can also be seen at the Capital Fringe Festival in Jack the Ticket Ripper.  Her web site is www.charlenevsmith.com.

Hostess Katie Wanschura is pleased to be working with Rob and the BBGS folks again.  She greatly enjoys knowing the answers before most of you know the questions!  Regional acting credits include Falsettos (Cordelia), Elden Street Players; Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro, Benedick) and Antony & Cleopatra (Charmian), with the Rude Mechanicals; The Actor's Nightmare (Ellen), Laurel Mill Playhouse; Steel Magnolias (Annelle), St. Mark's Players; and As You Like (Celia), Shakespeare in the Parque.  After the BBGS and the 4th Annual Capital Fringe Festival have wrapped up, Katie will get to play with the Rude Mechanicals again, in an all-female production of Two Gentlemen of Verona. Thank you to Shannon for running lines with me, even though you can’t see this episode, and to Rob for another wonderful round of scripts!

Tech (and professional snappy dresser) Nathen Wurzel is more than thrilled to return to the tech booth for BBGS 2009!  In fact, he's so thrilled that Rob didn't even have to tell him to say that.  When he's not busily stacking up the sound cues and lighting the stage for our fine game show, Nathen can be found in various New York City Subway stations singing sweet melodies and/or performing impressive feats of juggling to those who are nice enough to throw money, candy, ponies, and whatever other various pleasantries can fit into his upturned fedora.  He also spends large chunks of time exploring Brooklyn on a used ten-speed bicycle.  Other fun facts about Nathen include his irrational fear of whales, his inability to whistle, and his extreme penchant speaking only in haiku.  His name turns up approximately 24,400 results in a Google search.

Backup Tech and Backup Host Roddy Rasti does stuff, and also, things.  This will be his third Capital Fringe Festival tech gig.  Love goes out to Awesome Wife Ty.