‘Rumors’ opened at the Bradley on Jan. 30
Need a reason to lose the blahs, get out of your house, and laugh and enjoy yourself? Escape the New England winter doldrums and hurry to Putnam to see the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse’s production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” This hilarious comedy is just what you need. The curtain goes up on Jan. 30.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 6, 7 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 1, 8. Tickets are $28 for adults and $25 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders (including fees). The show runs for just two weekends. Reservations with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance, or at the door if available. 
The TNECT production of Rumors is directed by Debra Leigh Wysocki. The party goers include Dave Ring and A. Foley as Ken and Chris Gorman, Nicholas Magrey and Shannon McLoud as Lenny and Claire Ganz, Preston Arnold and Joan Stewart as Ernie and Cookie Cusack, and Mark Smolak and Laura O’Brien as Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Joshua Eves appears as Officer Welch and Laurie Neal is Officer Pudney.
The play opens with a crisis: Ken and Chris arrive for their friends’ 10th anniversary party and discover their host has accidentally shot himself in the ear, his wife is missing, and the kitchen staff is gone. As the rest of the guests arrive, they must navigate a series of misunderstandings and rumors leading to comedic chaos. With fast-paced dialogue, witty repartee, and situational comedy, Rumors explores themes of friendship, marriage, and the absurdity of social conventions. The play is noted for clever use of misunderstandings and the comedic potential of rumors. It is considered to be a classic example of farce in modern theater. 
Rumors was written by Neil Simon and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Neil Simon (1927-2018) wrote more than 30 plays including Barefoot in the Park and The Odd Couple and won three Tonys and a Golden Globe Award. He also wrote for early TV including Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. Rumors was Simon’s first farce and quite a change from his usual work. He said he wanted it to be an “elegant farce”, so he set the cast in evening clothes. Rumors opened on Broadway in 1988 and Christine Baranski, playing Chris Gorman, won the Tony for Best Performance by Featured Actress. The cast also included Ken Howard, Joyce Van Patten, and Jessica Walter.

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captions: 
Above:  Preston Arnold (Ernie Cusack) and Joan Stewart (Cookie Cusack). Center: Dave Ring (Ken Gorman) and A. Foley (Chris Gorman). Right: Joshua Eves (Officer Welch) and Laurie Neal (Officer Pudney). Photos by Jeanne Foley.