Over the past six decades, “The Match Game,” a fill-in-the-blank game show featuring a panel of six celebrities, has undergone multiple revivals, including its current iteration hosted by comedian Martin Short.
The game show’s latest resurrection — and an unexpected hole in the monthly schedule at the Millibo Art Theatre — gave Bob Morsch an idea.
“‘The Match Game’ was one of my favorite shows growing up,” said Morsch, the art theater’s sound engineer. “So when an improv show disbanded and left an opening in the schedule, I thought a live game show might be a fun format to try. I pitched a version of ‘The Match Game’ to our artistic directors, and they liked the idea.”
That was the genesis of “The MAT!CH Game,” a live version of the show that will feature a panel of local entertainers, including actors, comedians, writers, radio personalities and improv performers. The show is set to debut Friday at the Millibo Art Theatre.
Contestants, selected from the audience pool, will try to match the panelists’ answers to fill-in-the-blank questions read by Morsch, who will host the show.
“I get to play Gene Rayburn,” Morsch said, referencing the original host of the television game show.
Audience members who volunteer to participate will receive a free beverage, and winners will receive one of a number of gift certificates donated by local businesses.
“We have a lot of businesses that have donated prizes,” Morsch said.
Panelists will include radio host Kendra Carr, stand-up comedian Derek Knight, writer Jenny Maloney, theater artist and teacher Katie Medved, actor Christian O’Shaughnessy and more, theater officials said.
The Millibo Art Theatre will host an initial run of three live shows: Friday, on Oct. 10 and a third show in either January or February, Morsch said. After the initial run, more shows will be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.
“If it turns out to be popular, we’ll do it once a month,” Morsch said. “We’re pretty excited about it. It should be a fun time.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source gazette.com ’
