Fact-based one-man show ‘Man 1, Bank 0’ coming to WCU on Feb. 28

From a Western Carolina University press release:

Fact-based one-man show ‘Man 1, Bank 0’ coming to WCU on Feb. 28

CULLOWHEE – The Galaxy of Stars Series at Western Carolina University will present the true story of a man who deposited a junk-mail check labeled non-negotiable into a bank account only to see things erupt into an adventure pitting a “David” regular guy against the “Goliath” of the banking industry.

Titled “Man 1, Bank 0,” performer Patrick Combs’ one-man show comes to WCU’s John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.

The production, which has enjoyed sold-out runs worldwide, is “an extraordinary tale of men in black, tense phone calls and a fake check for $95,093.35,” said Paul Lormand, director of the Bardo Arts Center.

“Receiving the check in the mail, he decided, as a joke, to deposit it into his account, assuming the tellers would know it was a fake and refuse to cash it. But, it went through with no problem and all of a sudden, Patrick was $95,093.35 better off,” Lormand said.

As one might suspect, complications ensue, including angry banking officers threatening jail time and death, a leading authority on banking coming out of retirement, astonishing legal twists and worldwide media coverage from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and “Good Morning America” and calls from late-night funnymen David Letterman and Jay Leno.

“‘Man 1, Bank 0’ is a show that could be seen as a rant against the banking system, showing the flaws and incompetence of a major American bank. But, that’s not Patrick’s intent,” Lormand said. “Rather, he’s entertaining audiences with a story that’s so ridiculous you can’t make it up.”

Tickets for the Feb. 28 performance at WCU are $21 for adults ($15 in groups of 20 or more), $16 for WCU faculty and staff members, and $7 for students/children of any age. Contact the box office at 828-227-2479 or online at bardoartscenter.wcu.edu.