RUMORS

By Neil Simon

A witty and wacky play, RUMORS revolves around the chaotic events that ensue when four couples gather for a dinner party at the New York City townhouse of Charlie and Myra Brock. However, just moments before the guests arrive, we discover that Charlie has been shot and Myra is missing. Panic ensues as the dinner guests attempt to keep the situation under control, concocting increasingly elaborate lies to shield their friends and themselves from scandal. From mistaken identities to slapstick comedy, RUMORS keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. 

Rehearsals

• Mondays - Fridays, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
• Monday, March 9 - April 24

Tech Rehearsals

• Saturday, April 25 - Thursday, April 30

Performances

• Friday, May 1 at 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 2 at 7:00 PM
• ​Sunday, May 3 at 2:00 PM

Audition Information

• Script - Rumors
• Audition Sides
• Audition Form
• Audition Sign-Up Sheet

Character Breakdown

• 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-30’s) 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 30’s, early 40’s) – 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 30’s) – Claire’s wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers and others’). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip.
• Ernie Cusack – (Early 50’s) – 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 – (40’s) – 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 20’s, early 30’s) 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” façade that these high-society types put up.
• Officer Pudney (F) – (20-30) – Welch’s partner. A strong but silent type

Audition Process

• Auditions for Rumors will be in combination with Closer Than They Appear (a showcase of student-directed scenes). Actors may audition for one or both productions. 
• Sign up for an audition time (form linked above)
• Submit an audition form before the time of your audition (linked above)
• During your audition, you will read a number of scenes from the play. You are encouraged to read the play (linked above) to prepare for the audition.
• The audition sides will be available prior to the auditions