RUMORS @ The Group Rep

The Group Rep presents Neil Simon’s “RUMORS,” directed by Doug Engalla.

I LOVED IT!!! 

I know you are supposed to lead up to an opinion, but Neil Simon’s “RUMORS” at the Group Rep is hilariously funny, has an amazing cast, and an artful, smart and fast paced script by Neil Simon.  Plus, Doug Engalla’s directing has completely transported us into this farcical play.

LtoR DougHaverty LizAnneKeigley photoByDougEngalla
Doug Haverty,  LizAnne Keigley

Now, let me set the scene.  Five influential couples are getting together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Charley and Myra.  First to arrive is Ken and Chris Gorman (Fox Carney and Debi Tinsley) who hear a shot, and find Charley has shot himself in the ear.  Yes, ear!  He’s alive, but there is blood everywhere.  When Charley’s doctor calls, Ken and Chris try desperately to not let on that Charley has been shot.  Lenny and Claire Ganz (Kent Butler and Cheryl Crosland) are next to arrive, but have just suffered a car accident with Lenny’s new BMW.  So Lenny is frenzied about the car and now needs to deal with Charley shooting himself in the ear.  It turns out that Ken’s doctor is also Lenny’s doctor.  Hmm!!! 

But wait, there’s more.  Ernie and Cookie Cusack (Doug Haverty and LizAnne Keigley) are members of Charley’s tennis club, with Cookie being a TV chef, and a clumsy one at that.  Finally, Glenn Cooper (Todd Andrew Ball) and Cassie Cooper (Hisato Masuyama-Ball) arrive with a dramatic flair.  To complicate things, Charley is the Deputy Mayor of New York, so discretion is very important.  The cops eventually arrive (Robert McCollum and Judy Rosenfeld) with many questions asked.  All the cast successfully runs with the chaotic fun and fast-paced dialogue.  Finally, we never see Charley or Myra, but by the end of this play, we feel like we have.

LtoR FoxCarney DebiTinsley photoByDougEngalla
Fox Carney, Debi Tinsley

Direction is fantastic by Doug Engalla.  I can’t mention this enough.  Sets, as usual, are fabulous by Chris Winfield.  But all the elements, stage management, lighting, sound, costumes, are very well done.

Neil Simon has a vast list of outstanding work.  Plays, TV and movies include: “Lost In Yonkers,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Sweet Charity,” “The Sunshine Boys,” “Biloxi Blues,” and of course, “The Odd Couple,” to name only a very few. 

“RUMORS” is silly, frantic at times, and ferociously funny, and is a MUST SEE.  As I said at the beginning of this review, I LOVED IT!!!  Run, run, run to the Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.  Now more than ever we need a good laugh. “RUMORS” is a great laugh.  

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!

Cast:  Todd Andrew Ball, Michele Bernath (7/20-7/29), Patrick Burke (7/13-7/15), Kent Butler, Fox Carney, Cheryl Crosland, Doug Haverty, LizAnne Keigley, Hisato Masuyama-Ball, Robert McCollum, Judy Rosenfeld, and Debi Tinsley

Director:  Doug Engalla

Producer for the Group Rep:  Alyson York

Set Design:  Chris Winfield

Light Design:  Addison Calvin

Costume Design:  Angela M. Eads

Assistant Director:  Sophie Lamzik

Stage Manager:  John Ledley

Assistant Stage Manager:  Janee Hull

Sound Design:  Steve Shaw

Lights/Sound Operator:  Joseph Marcelo

Production Photography/Videography:  Doug Engalla

Public Relations:  Nora Feldman

Graphic Design:  Doug Haverty + Art & Soul Design

Lonny Chapman Theatre

10900 Burbank Blvd

North Hollywood, CA 91601

Tickets:  www.thegrouprep.com    or    (818) 763-5990.

General Admission:  $25.       Seniors/Students with ID:  $20.      Groups 10+:  $15.

Runs:  Extended through August 11.  Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 pm.   Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm. 

Talkbacks after Sunday Matinees on June 24 and July 8.