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Rumors

A comedy by Neil Simon

Directed by Jenise Harper.

What’s supposed to be a 10th wedding anniversary celebration rapidly descends into a hilarious evening of disaster and deceit. The guests arrive at the party only to discover the hostess is missing, the host has shot himself through the earlobe, the Chinese butler and cook have taken off, and the dinner hasn’t been cooked! Rumors run rampant as the guests try to piece together the sordid events of the evening. It’s wickedly funny!

Director's Notes

Rumors is one of Neil Simon’s larger ensemble plays. This afforded me the wonderful opportunity to work with ten very talented and diverse people — each characterizing a unique persona designed to add hilarity to an already zany plot. Imagine how you'd feel if you arrived at a dinner party, black tie, only to find the hostess, cook and butler have disappeared. Add to that the dilemma of the host — seemingly in shock with a bullet hole through his ear! Whatever has happened? Rumors run rampant as the various guests arrive, each submitting their interpretation of the situation. Wild tales abound, and the surprise ending suggests that truth is indeed stranger than fiction — or strangely akin to it! Enjoy our evening's antics. May you leave the theater with a smile on your lips and laughter in your heart.

Cast

Lisa Deutsch Cookie Cusak

Lisa relays that she is a N/S, N/D JW of ten years who seeks companionship of gentlemen interested in arts and winter sports. She has directed Chekhov, Beckett and Mamet and performed Beatrice in "Much Ado," The Herald in "Marat/Sade," and other roles as disparate as Eleanor Roosevelt and Richard the Lionheart. A vaudevillian, Shakespearean, choreographer, modern dancer, Lisa yearns to direct a visceral production of "That Scottish Play" and "Richard III" with youth casts. The mother of two sons, she is directing oldest as Nick in "A Thousand Clowns" this spring.

Bo Edwards Ernie Cusak

Bo Edwards is a seventeen year veteran of the Evergreen Players with numerous shows to his credit. Included are Players’ productions of A Preacher’s Daughter Shouldn’t Oughter, M*A*S*H, Harvey, Li’l Abner, Annie, I’m Sorry, the Bridge is Out and Bye, Bye Birdie. Other stage appearances include Carousel, South Pacific and The Music Man. An attorney by profession, Bo practices law in Denver.

Fran Fortier Officer Pudney

Fran is making her acting debut. She studied literature in both college and graduate school, and has finally found the time to follow her dream of being on Center/Stage. She would like to dedicate this new beginning to her brother Ed, who could not be here to celebrate with her. She thanks the Evergreen Players for giving her this marvelous opportunity.

Robin Freeman Cassie Cooper

Robin has appeared with the Evergreen Players in "Agnes of God," "Supporting Cast," and "The Robber Bridegroom." Presently she is also in a November show at the Mercury Café, "In the Company of Cats." Other recent shows include "The Women of Fredonia" and "Once Upon a Midnight Dreary" at the Denver Civic, and "'Dentity Crisis," at the University of Colorado. Film work includes "The Final Step" and "This Place of Love." A Kittredge resident forever, she resides with her four dogs and husband, not necessarily in that order.

Jerry Grunska Officer Welch

Jerry Grunska is a retired English teacher from Highland Park, Illinois. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse; the University of Northern Colorado and Northwestern University. He writes books and articles on sports officiating. His performance career includes playing a troll in "Three Billy Goats' Gruff" (first grade) and Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple" a half century later.

Robert Kramer Lenny Ganz

Robert is capping off a busy 2000. In addition to making his Evergreen debut, Robert has starred in 84 Charring Cross Road and Murder on the Nile. He has continued to serve as Program Director for the Bear Creek Shakespeare Festival, and directed their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in May. He is currently directing for Colorado ACTS, and is readying Taming of the Shrew for performance in February.

Fanny Marble Claire Ganz

Fanny was a 13-year thespian in Chicago and joined the Evergreen Players in 1976. A director and choreographer, Fanny has performed lead roles in "Man of LaMancha," "Gin Game," "Supporting Cast," "I Ought to be in Pictures," "Steel Magnolias, "Finishing Touches," and many more. She has also performed with the Evergreen Chorale, and is mother of three girls and grandmother of seven.

Christopher Moore Ken Gorman

Christopher hails from the prestigious "Honest Lou's Junior College of Rapid City, South Dakota, for the Dramatic Arts and Shooting Sports" (HLJCRCSDDASS for short). After college, he moved east and hit the big time with an off, off Broadway show entitled, "Honey, I Shrunk the Playwright," in Little Rock, Arkansas - living up to the billing "the world's greatest actor … ever!" Although one never knows what to believe about Chris, this IS his fourth show with the Evergreen Players. Corral him for more details.

Bob Wisneski Glenn Cooper

Bob is from Milwaukee, WI, and is excited to make "Rumors" his first appearance in Colorado. Recent credits from Sunset Playhouse in Milwaukee are as Paul in "Barefoot in the Park," and Mr. Willey in "Out of Order." Other favorites include "The Nerd" and "The Foreigner" (by the late Milwaukee playwright Larry Shue), as well as "Merry Wives of Windsor," "Divorce, Anyone?" and "Death of a Salesman." Bob has also worked professionally in improv comedy sketches and regional/national television commercials and voice-over work.

Michele Wright Chris Gorman

Michele is happy to be returning to Center/Stage. An Evergreen native and newlywed, Michele recently graduated with a degree in theater and most recently performed with Creede Repertory Theatre. Now back home in Evergreen, she teaches preschool at Bergen Elementary. Some of her favorite roles include Sylvia, Electra and Lucky (title roles). Michele would like to thank her loving husband Rob, and devoted family - especially Aaron, Diann and Buck.

Production Crew