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Rumors

  • Neil Simon
  • Full Length Play, Farce, Comedy, Contemporary
  • 5M, 5F
  • ISBN: 9780573691607

"Light, frothy and fun."

New York Post

"Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh."

The New York Times

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Farce, Comedy

  • Time Period: Contemporary
  • Target Audience: Senior, Adult
  • Set Requirements: Interior Set
  • Cautions: Gun Shots, Alcohol, Strong Language

  • Performance Group:
  • College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre, Large Stage, Professional Theatre
At a large, tastefully appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce.

Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken and wife Chris must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive.

As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins into classic farcical hilarity.

PLEASE NOTE: This show has a mandatory music fee of A$20.00 per performance.
REVIEWS:

"Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh."

 The New York Times

"Light, frothy and fun."

New York Post

"Neil Simon makes people laugh a lot!"

 USA Today

"Not only side splitting, but front and back splitting."

NBC-TV

Premiere Production: Rumors premiered at the Old Globe Theatre (San Diego, California) on September 22, 1988. It opened on Broadway in November of 1988 at the Broadhurst Theatre, under the direction of Gene Saks.

Characters

  • Casting: 5M, 5F

  • KEN GORMAN - (40) A well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but by no means pretentious. Takes charge of the situation. Married to Chris. Halfway through the show, a gunshot causes his temporary deafness.

  • CHRIS GORMAN - (mid-30s) Another lawyer, married to Ken. Beautiful, easily flustered. Frantically tries to maintain normalcy at the party. Has recently quit smoking, which drives her to drink a bit more.

  • LENNY GANZ - (late 30s-early 40s) A wealthy accountant, distraught over the recent destruction over his new car. Starts the show with an extreme case of whiplash. Intolerant of the gossipy-lifestyle that he is often involved in.

  • CLAIRE GANZ - (late 30s) Lenny's wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers and others'). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip.

  • ERNIE CUSACK - (early 50s) A psychiatrist. Affable, smokes a pipe. Loves his wife very much. Tries to be as helpful as possible cooking the evening's dinner.

  • COOKIE CUSACK - (40s) Has her own cooking show. Suffers from extreme back spasms. Loves her husband very much. A bit absent-minded at times.

  • GLENN COOPER - (30-40) A handsome man running for State Senate. Worried about his own reputation. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair (which he may or may not be).

  • CASSIE COOPER - (late 20s-early 30s) Glenn's beautiful wife. Obsesses over her husbands' relationships with other women. Quick to anger. Must rub her quartz crystal to calm herself down.

  • OFFICER WELCH - (M) (30-50) A city police officer having a rough night. Does not tolerate lying. Sees through the "classy" facade that these high-society types put up.

  • OFFICER PUDNEY - (F) (20-30) Welch's partner. A strong but silent type.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Rumors Script Order Now

    At a large, tastefully appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce.

    Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken and wife Chris must get "the story" straight before the other guests arrive.

    As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins into classic farcical hilarity.

    "Light, frothy and fun." - New York Post

    "Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh." - The New York Times

    Rumors premiered at the Old Globe Theatre (San Diego, California) on September 22, 1988.


    		 $24.95

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