Rumors Spread Around PSU

CLOCK PHOTO / NINA WEINSTEIN

This week the PSU Theatre Department presents Rumors; a farce written by Neil Simon. Rumors is a hilarious play that takes place during Charlie and Myra’s anniversary party, however Charlie has shot himself in the ear and Myra is nowhere to be found. Ken and Chris Gorman, the first guests to arrive, try to hide the incident from the rest of the self-absorbed guests and piece together what really happened.

Simon has written many popular plays, including The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park. “He’s one of the most successful playwrights and screenwriters ever, in America, maybe in the world,” said Director Paul Mroczka. Simon wrote a range of material, from serious plays to books for musicals, but Rumors is an all-out farce. “The writing in general is just dripping with comedy,” said Senior Chase Perkins who plays Lenny Ganz. “We would have to be putting in some serious effort to not make it funny.” 

The play touches on themes of self-image. The well-to-do characters are very much surface types of people, and in that respect the play serves as a social commentary on how people view themselves. Any message that might come through is told through the organized chaos of comedy, which can be important in itself. “I think it’s really important that we take some time to laugh, because that’s when we get to forget about everything for a few minutes,” said Mroczka. 
For many of the actors, Rumors will be the last time they will grace the PSU stage. “We have a lot of seniors in it who are ready to go into the professional level,” said Mroczka. One of the seniors is Andrew Kelley, who plays Ken Gorman. “Working with Paul Mroczka [makes me realize] that the transition from college to professional acting isn’t as big as I thought,” said Kelley. “I feel like I’m leaving PSU on a good, solid foot.”

Audience members can expect a lot of physical comedy, physical ailments, telephone calls, chicken bones, slamming doors, and running up and down stairs. Rumor has it that this is not a show to be missed.

“Rumors” is being performed in the Studio Theatre at PSU’s Silver Center for the Arts on April 22, 23, 24, 25 at 8 p.m. and April 25 at 2 p.m. Call (603)-535-2787 or visit www.plymouth.edu/silver-center for tickets.