“The Bachelor” TV show veterans host show at Gallo Center. Modestan has title role
Modesto “Bachelor” fans are in for a treat on Wednesday, Feb. 19. That’s when “The Bachelor Live on Stage” visits the Gallo Center for the Arts.
It’s also when Modesto’s own Reggie Rucker, a 37-year-old director of placemaking at the Downtown Modesto Partnership, will step into the title role.
“Bachelor” franchise veterans Becca Kufrin and Ben Higgins will co-host the show, something of a relief for Rucker, who at first declined the suggestion to participate. But he ultimately was convinced after many of his friends urged him to do it after a Gallo Center Facebook post calling for bachelor volunteers. In the end, “I thought everyone would have fun with it,” he said in a January interview with The Bee.
“One of the things that gives me a ton of comfort is ... two hosts are running the show,” Rucker said. “They’re going to be the real show. I just get to hang out and sort of get the best seat in the house as far as the women who participate in these challenges.”
The show is part of a 66-city nationwide tour that “fits an entire season of ‘Bachelor’ drama into one evening, giving members of the audience the opportunity to find love in their own community, complete with rose ceremonies,” according to a news release in a November story in The Mercury News.
“The Bachelor” television series is heading into its 24th season on ABC.
“The Bachelor experience changed my life in the most amazing ways,” said Kufrin, “so being able to visit cities around the country and allowing others to feel that unique energy, positivity, hope and love (fingers crossed) is something so truly special.”
On each date of the tour, the “show will introduce one lucky hometown bachelor to local ladies from the audience. Through a series of games, challenges, onstage dates and other fun getting-to-know-you scenarios, the bachelor will hand the final rose to the woman he’s most compatible with,” according to the release.
What’s Rucker looking for in compatibility? “To be honest, it’s hard to answer because a lot of it is a chemistry thing,” he said. “It’s hard to put your finger on the chemistry. By the nature of them being willing to do this means they’ll be fun and outgoing, which is important to me.”
Rucker is open to meeting someone. “I’m not looking to be single forever,” he said. “I fashion myself more as a relationship person. If that comes from this night, that would be great.”
But that’s not necessarily something he anticipates, saying he won’t be “walking on stage expecting to meet the love of my life.”
Audience members will help along the journey by asking questions, making suggestions and cheering on the participants on stage. “From the first impression rose to group date challenges and the coveted one-on-ones,” according to the release, “the production gives fans the chance to watch live from their seats as the journey unfolds on stage.”
“The Bachelor Live on Stage”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $59-$149
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
The Mercury News contributed to this report.
