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Come on Down: Price is Right Stage Show Arrives in Charlottesville

Posted: 8:31 PM Feb 5, 2013
Reporter: Chris Stover

Come on Down: Price Is Right Comes to Charlottesville

February 5, 2013

For some, it's been a staple throughout their lives. For others, it's necessity. And for the rest, it's just a love of the game.

The golden road to see "The Price Is Right Live" stage show landed in Charlottesville Tuesday night, drawing more than 2,500 people to the John Paul Jones Arena to watch the stage adaptation of the CBS game show.

"It's fun just seeing the people, just the lines of people. I don't know it's just wild. Who would ever think?" said Cindy Snoddy, part of a group of Buckingham County teachers who attended the show.

"I just think it's part of Americana, and to be able to bring what people have loved on television to their own backyard is just really a special gift," said Todd Newton, the stage show's host. "We're just really thrilled to do it."

That tradition is what drew so many people to wait in line at the arena. Some people showed up as early as 11 a.m. to register to become a contestant. Doors for that process opened at 4:30 p.m.

"My kids asked me already if i won, if i was coming to work tomorrow," Buckingham County teacher Charity Manis said. "I said, 'No, you may as well forget it.'"

And even toward the end of the line, the enthusiasm and energy still remained.

"I want to get called up," said Tamie Handwerk, who drove down from Baltimore to see the show with her mother, sister and friend. "I don't want to be last. I want to be up on the stage."

All this to hear three simple words: Come on down.