By Betty Barton
(Contributed Article)
Terrace Little Theatre’s Rumors debuted last weekend to rave reviews. The audiences thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced and clever dialogue. Playwright Neil Simon is renowned for his quick repartee and his love of laughter, particularly in this farce in two acts. The play is set in the Brock house living room at 1257 Peekskill Road, Sneden’s Landing, New York in May 1990.
The play starts with Ken Gorman and his wife, Chris, at the 10th anniversary party of Charlie Brock, the Deputy Mayor of New York, and his wife, Myra.
Unfortunately, things are not going quite to plan.
In theatre, a farce is a comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and thus improbable. Farce is also characterized by physical humor, the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense, and broadly stylized performances. The Rumors set is tasteful, cozy and absolutely appropriate for all the exaggerated antics, with doors in large number for the dynamic movements of characters on and off stage.
The cast includes 10 different, unusual, energetic, characters all played by a talented ensemble of Terrace Little Theatre thespians and newcomers. Jim Branch, as Lennie Ganz, puts on a star performance. Jim describes his character as ‘Archie Bunkerish’’. Dedicated local director Robin Macleod summarizes, “After several weeks of rehearsals, we’re still laughing at Neil Simon’s dialogue and situations.”
Rumors first debuted in 1988 in San Diego, California. Macleod says the process of putting this comedy together involved reading the play many times with finalizing the cast, starting rehearsals and determining the chemistry was definitely there.
Do join the Rumors party.
Rumors runs until March 14 on Friday nights at 8 p.m. at the McColl Playhouse, 3625 Kalum Street. Tickets are for sale at Uniglobe Courtesy Travel, www.eventbrite.ca or at the door, if tickets are still available.