By Lisa Panzer
Guests arrive to Charlie and Myra Brock’s tenth wedding anniversary in the upscale neighborhood of Sneden’s Landing, NY donned in their finest evening apparel to find the couple of honor missing, the food unprepared and no help in sight. As each of the attendees attempts to discern what is going on, sparks of imagination fly about igniting wild bouts of speculation, coupled with hysterical hearsay, comic conjecture and hilarious hijinks ultimately exploding into a dynamite array of antic farce! ‘Rumors’ is reputed to be one of Neil Simon’s funniest plays and Stagecrafters’ production is proof.
Brandon William Tabb and Natalie Merlino in Neil Simon’s “Rumors” at The Stagecrafters.
Never a dull moment on stage as a strong cast, directed Patrick Martin, keeps the comedy coming with one liners, well executed exits and entrances and increasingly frenetic action. Kathleen Mulhearn portrays Chris Gorman, who is trying to quit smoking during the dinner party crisis, with great expressiveness and credence. Tom Libonate as Ken Gorman, Victoria Glock-Molloy as Claire Ganz, Natalie Merlino as Cassie Cooper and Brandon Tabb as Glenn Cooper all elicit the laughs in this ensemble of hi-test talent. Mare Kenney cracks us up via Cookie Cusack’s bad back, and Ross Druker, playing Ernie Cusack, issues a glorious tirade on stage to rival Gilbert and Sullivan’s “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” from ‘The Pirates of Penzance’. Brendan Sterling is the bomb as Lenny Ganz dropping his improvised version of events upon the stage for all to hear with scintillating physicality. Although Officer Pudney is mainly silent Jessica Stahl’s demeanor imbues her with so much to say. Sam Dressler commands the scene as Officer Welch – he makes you believe it (and like it!).
From start to finish, the action on the boards appears seamless. Kudos to the actors, and also to the folks backstage making sure everything runs smoothly. A simple and elegantly attired set (Lavinia DeCastro Walsh, Richard Stewart) lends class and style yet does not distract the eye. Music, sound (William Bansbach) and lighting (Gilbert Todd) subtly support and augment the setting and story.
Kathleen Mulearn and Tom Libonate in Neil Simon’s “Rumors” at The Stagecrafters of Chestnut Hill.
“Rumors” premiered at the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego CA in September 1988 and is a time-tested favorite of Simon’s many plays.
Go experience it at:
- “Rumors: by Neil Simon
- Directed by Patrick Martin
- Show times: June 15,16,17 @ 8pm, 18 @2pm June 22,23,24 @8pm, 25 @2pm, at The Stagecrafters Theater, 8130 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19118
- Reservations: (215)247-9913 or https://thestagecrafters.org/rumors/
- Run time approximately 2 hrs. with one 15 min. intermission.