Hours prior to showtime, hundreds of ticket holders formed a line that snaked around the block as they waited to enter the contestant drawing. While the line grew throughout the afternoon, an official said the first guest arrived at 5:30 a.m., 14 hours before the show was scheduled to begin. (Photo by Cristel Mohrman/for Chronicle Media)

Never mind that the show won’t be televised and Drew Carey was nowhere in sight. When a popular game show’s tour edition invited fans to “Come on down!” to Waukegan, they responded in droves. The 2,400-seat Genesee Theatre hosted a sold-out crowd March 5 for The Price is Right Live.

During the hour-long show, spectators waited in hopes of being among the contestants who would try to guess the most accurate retail prices for items such as electronics and designer accessories. Contestants’ Row was filled by four new players after each round, giving more audience members a chance to compete, but those chosen just got one shot to win.

The event featured classic games from the televised game show. The audience cheered as replicas of Plinko, Cliffhanger, Any Number, Punch a Bunch and Hole in One or Two were revealed. Those who didn’t compete participated from the stands, shouting “Higher!” and “Lower!” to guests on stage as they tried to pinpoint product prices.

Contestants played for prizes reminiscent of those awarded their TV counterparts. The biggest winners of the night walked away with a 50-inch television and trip to Las Vegas, while others received $100 consolation prizes.

Three contestants were also chosen to spin the “Big Wheel” (the person with the highest spin won $250) and two others faced off in a Showcase Showdown. While the prize packages were similar to those seen on TV — jewelry, Apple computer products, a trip to Hawaii and a 2016 Kia Rio — The Price is Right Live’s rules came with a twist. To win all of the items in the showcase, a contestant needed to come within $100 of the total retail price. Both contestants overbid on the $20,466 showcase and received $250 consolation prizes.

Randomly selected audience members also received gift cards after each game. In all, about three dozen attendees snagged a prize.

While cheers, applause and laughter filled the theater, the game-show spirit was evident well before the curtains opened.

Hours prior to showtime, hundreds of ticket holders formed a line that snaked around the block as they waited to enter the contestant drawing. While the line grew throughout the afternoon, an official said the first guest arrived at 5:30 a.m., 14 hours before the show was scheduled to begin.

Unlike the televised version of The Price is Right, contestants were selected at random among those who registered. So, while many waited in the cold for hours or called attention to themselves with custom-made shirts or more eye-catching apparel— one guest was enrobed in a bright yellow banana suit — neither their appearances nor their personalities helped improve their odds are being called to one of the coveted spots on Contestants’ Row.

The touring show may have, however, increased the odds of a better-controlled local pet population. Cheers erupted one last time when host Todd Newton urged guests to have their pets spayed or neutered — the same message The Price is Right’s iconic host Bob Barker delivered at the end of each show, and a tradition that Carey has continued.

The show also gave nods to its TV hosts by airing clips of memorable moments throughout the event.

Want to have a chance to “Come on down!” without traveling to Los Angeles? No additional shows are scheduled in Illinois this year, but The Price is Right Live will make its way to other states and Canada in the coming months. Visit www.priceisrightlive.com for more information.

— Many leave with prizes during Price is Right Road Show in Waukegan —