There’s a reason Pinky’s Players sells out every show

This show and the Venice Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” are not included in season ticket packages for the simple reason that both shows always sell out every seat.

This year, the Pinky’s Players show, titled “The Hotel Pink Flamingo,” once again sold out every performance in the Pinkerton Theatre, May 8-11.

Following in the footsteps of the late Yvonne Pinkerton is Becky Holahan, who worked with “Pinky” beginning in 1998 and succeeded “Pinky” when Pinkerton retired.

Holahan wrote the script and worked with Music Director George DeJong to create this year’s show. DeJong was the keyboardist for Herman’s Hermits for 12 years before retiring to Venice. For this show, DeJong also plays guitar and keyboard on stage.

Reworking the fabulous set he designed for the recent production of “Alice in Wonderland,” resident scenic designer Tim Wisgerhof created a colorful lobby for a classy Miami Beach-style hotel complete with color-coordinated settees and two larger than life-size three-dimensional pink flamingos at the back of the “lobby.”

To the delight of everyone in the audience and especially those who have come to so many of the previous Pinky’s Players productions, Tim Hedley was one of the first cast members to move across the stage as the hotel’s bellhop, carrying some luggage.

In the program, we in the audience learned that Tim’s father had been a bellhop back in the ‘60s “for 25-cent tips.” Tim’s parents, Hal and Luan, were in the audience again as always, rightly proud of their son.

Performing as the CEO and founder of this lavish hotel is Seth Sellitti, who welcomed us all to his hotel and introduced all the various cast members who portrayed hotel staff and also hotel guests.

He looked dapper in his light blue suit and white patent leather shoes as he welcomed guests and introduced staff and more throughout the show.

Portraying talented hospitality and housekeeping staff who could sing and dance are Katie Bass, Katie Brandenburg, Joe Kelly as Chef Jacques Pier, Adam Laing and Dorota Mosczynska (housekeeping and dance instructor), Sandy Saunders as assistant to the CEO, and clowning magicians: Michel Buscemi, Rachel Hunt, Joan Kelly, Candice Pineault; the hotel concierge.

Joe Kelly portrays Chef Jacques Pier, and Christian Shakespeare is the Open Mic Guest Singer.

Portraying Puppeteers and other characters are Adam Bell, Patrick Burke, Laura Cicerone, Rachel Hayes, Anita Huss, Mia Luoma, Leslie Minteer, Jimmy O’Brien, Jordan Salustri, Ingris Spindler, Barbara Wilson, Wesley Wright and Zachery Zito.

The total cast involves a mix of theater volunteers and Haven students, which made for a fun show for all, participants and audience members.

Alyssa Goudy was the light board operator with Nate Blaweiss as the sound board operator.

Volunteers who helped throughout the entire Pinky’s Players season were Alejandra Aguirre, Ann Marie Keck, Arsie Fusco, Stacy Pinkerton, Cara Herman, Diane SImmons, Emily Uritz, George DeJong, Gina Cahill, Jane Cabill, Jean O’Leary, Joyce Eaton, Ken Arambasick, Linda Walker, Lisa Willis Richardson, Liz Pascoe-Broome, Marti Runnels, Michael “Mickey” Onori, Patty Tuff, Paul Andis, Suzanne Custer, Dennis Berkery, Clint Alexander, Julie Kostelec, Louise Cardelina and Dawn Carpenter. Most of these volunteers appeared in the show side by side with the Haven participants.

Assisting Music director George DeJong on stage were Ken Arambasick on guitar and Dennis Berkery on ukelele and guitar.

Holahan came up with the script, the hotel setting and a hurricane party with a happy ending — the beautiful days after the storm. Wisgrhof transformed the recent Alice in Wonderland set.

The featured performers are from The Haven, which has its residential campus in Sarasota and its south campus with day programs in Venice.

The Hotel Flamingo has staff members who can sing, dance, play guitar, perform magic tricks, and even host a “hurricane party.” This show was the proof.

Holahan included such songs as “Fly Me To the Moon, “Day-O!.,” “Somebody to Love” and “Bring on the Rain,” sung by Bobby Arditti, Christian Shakespeare, Mia Luoma and the Bacherlorettes, and Rachel Hunt singing “Bring on the Rain.” DeJong plays keyboard backup on stage as well as a few guitar backups. The second act is a celebration after the storm for hotel staff and guests.

Yvonne Pinkerton would be happy to see all the Pinkertons involved with the show or in the audience. Scott Pinkerton, owner of Forethought, a financial consulting firm in Venice, was out of town at a finance conference but hoped to be back in town for the Sunday performance.

The Pinkerton Theatre, a 90-seat blackbox theater at Venice Theatre, survived Ian’s wrath and was the recent site of the Moliere play, “The Learned Ladies.”

Venice Theatre’s main building is at 140 W. Tampa Avenue with the Boldt Techical Center and Raymond Center (site of present main stage) off North Nokomis Avenue, across from Luna Ristorante.

For tickets or other information, call the box office at 941-488-1115 or visit VeniceTheatre.org

The Golden ticket to 11 shows is $379. Raymond Five offers five shows in the Raymond Center for $175. Stage Two offers three shows in the Pinkerton for $110. Single tickets for all shows go on sale June 2.

To sponsor a show, call Camille Cline at 941-867-8607 or email her at Camille@venicetheatre.net.