Sam Barlow Theater Presents “Rumors”

Sam Barlow’s theater department is doing a production of Neil Simon’s Rumors, a play set 20 miles north of New York City in the late 1980s. The director, Sam Barlow’s own theater teacher, Jeff Schroeder, is “excited for the set to come together and to make audiences laugh!”

 Rumors is a farcical comedy with a hair-raising plot, when four New York power couples gather at a large, tastefully-appointed Snedens Landing townhouse. Upon arrival, they discover the Deputy Mayor of New York has just accidentally shot himself. Originally gathered to celebrate a tenth wedding anniversary, the couples are about to experience a severe attack of farce. As the host lies bleeding in the other room, Ken and Chris Gorman must get the story straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity. Rumors consists of ten actors. When casting, Schroeder said he was “looking for actors with good comedic timing; great energy; and understood the characters.” Now let’s take a look at some of the roles in this show!

Character overview:

KEN GORMAN is one of the main characters played by Izzy O’Brien. Ken is a well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but humble, as the play goes on he takes charge of the situation. 

CHRIS GORMAN  is also a lawyer, married to Ken, Chris is another one of the lead roles and is played by Mason Alley. Throughout the play, Chris frantically tries to maintain normalcy yet stays flustered. 

LENNY GANZ is a supporting character, played by Luke Palau, Lenny is a wealthy accountant, distraught over the recent destruction of his new BMW. He starts the show with whiplash and is annoyed by the gossip lifestyle he lives in.

CLAIRE GANZ– a supporting character is Lenny’s wife played by Sophie Neighorn. Claire is a gossip and is very concerned with everyone’s appearance. 

ERNIE CUSACK is a psychiatrist, an affable supporting character who smokes a pipe, and loves his wife, Ernie is played by Jonothan Matheny.

COOKIE CUSACK is a featured character played by Madeline Johnson, Cookie has her own cooking show, loves her husband, and is a bit scattered and absent-minded at times.

GLENN COOPER is running for State Senate and is worried about his own reputation. Glenn is seen bickering with his wife who is convinced he is having an affair.

CASSIE COOPER is a featured character played by Mia Williams, in the play Cassie obsesses over her husband’s relationships with other women. 

OFFICER WELCH is a city police officer having a rough night who doesn’t tolerate lying, they see through the “classy” façade that the other characters are putting up. Officer Welch is a featured character played by Jenna Nuttall.

OFFICER PUDNEY is a featured character played by Bella Gilmour, Pudney is Welch’s partner, her character is strong but silent.

STAGE MANAGER Maddy Faris

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Molly Nickolas

LIGHTS & SOUND EFFECTS Madalyn Collier

COSTUME ASSISTANT Mac Primiano

PROPS MASTER Calli Evans

Schroeder chose Rumors because it was one of the funniest shows he has seen, originally watching it in high school. He said, “At the time, it was one of the most popular high school plays to produce.” Rumors is going to be a comedic and lighthearted play that is sure to bring smiles and laughter to the Barlow auditorium, the performances are April 27-29 at 7:30 pm and April 30 at 2:00 pm and tickets are currently on sale now at sambarlowtheater.com.