Bloomers presents a 'ghoulishly' fun show

Vivacious, bodacious, hilarious! In the spirit of ghosts and goblins, haunted houses and trick or treats, Bloomers' fall show promises laughs and thrills. With 16 bits, commercial breaks and even a solo by the musical director, "Children of the Corny" features a first in Bloomers' 15-year history. This year, Bloomers introduces new material in its Halloween Munster Mash. Running two hours, the Bloomers production also showcases two campus a capella groups: Off the Beat and Quaker Notes. Bloomers' show is a compilation of new material and old pieces with themes ranging from current events to "Penn" humor. Culling from Broadway shows, like Les Miserables and West Side Story, popular culture, and late night TV advertisements, Bloomers finds humor everywhere. Highlights of the show include a brief scene with Opera Man, Snapple's panacea for the Arab-Israeli conflict, Ben Franklin come to life, and a demonstration of the "Thigh Master." From the costumes to the lighting, Halloween is in the air. Bloomers women wear pumpkins on their heads, Mr. Spock ears, surgical scrubs, hippie garb, and even size D-cup gold bras. Instead of sets or backdrops, Bloomers creates a bewitching atmosphere by projecting images of bats, witches, spiders, and pumpkins on screens which hover over the audience. The musical selection is as diverse as the subject matter. Capitalizing on their newest addition, a violinist, the versatile, seven-piece band plays everything from Dexie's Midnight Runners, to Pachelbel's Canon in "D." "Children of the Corny" will run Friday and Saturday nights in Annenberg's Harold Prince Theater. Tickets can be purchased for $5 on Locust Walk and in the Annenberg Box Office.