By Jerry LeBlond
The White River Valley Players cast of “Rumors” includes: (left to right) Cari Burkard as Cookie Cusack, Robert Melik Finkle as Ernie Cusack, Cameron Davis as Officer Welch, Tristan Rich-Goding as Lenny Ganz, Steve Augustus as Ken Gorman, Janine Reeves as Chris Gorman, Zeb Washburn as Glenn Cooper.
March 20-21 — ROCHESTER — The White River Valley Players will present the Neil Simon play “Rumors” on Fridays and Saturdays, March 20, 21, 27, 28 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held it the Rochester High School Auditorium on Route 100, Rochester.
Directed by Erica B. Robinson and Mindy Branstetter, rumors abound in this madcap comedy from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Neil Simon! As guests begin showing up for a fancy dinner party in honor of the 10th anniversary of Charley and Myra Brock, they find the hostess missing, the host mysteriously incapacitated, and the dinner laid out but not cooked. Not wanting to spoil the evening or create political controversy for Charley, the deputy mayor of New York, each guest hides the truth from the others, all while spinning wild stories about the host, hostess, other guests, and the members of their social circle.
As the complicated web of lies grows out of control with precious belongings flushed down the toilet, many cocktails drunk, kitchen calamity, and gunshots fired—or was that a manhole cover blowing up?—the police arrive and the unwitting participants in this botched cover-up must pull it together to save the day.
“The cast has been fantastic to work with, and the play is so much fun that we are still laughing at every joke even after six6 weeks of rehearsals,” says director Erica B. Robinson. “Set designer Robert Melik Finkle has dreamed up a wonderful set for us to play with, in addition to his role in the show, and props coordinator Rhoda Stockwell has found us incredible furniture and props. I can’t wait for the debut of all our hard work and for the cast to get the audience laughing. It’s definitely going to be a fun show to see live.”
The WRVP advises that the show is rated PG-13 due to some strong language. Tickets are $12 general, $10 senior/student. High school groups are welcome to attend via the Players’ special group-ticket discount option. Tickets are available at all White River Credit Union locations or at the door.
For more information or to arrange a school group ticket purchase call 802-767-3954.
