The Star Theatre Company Presents

 

Neil Simon's

RUMORS

Directed By: Katie Marquardt

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Opening the 2023 season at the Historic Star Theatre Company in February is the side-splitting comedy RUMORS by Neil Simon.  Direction by The Star Theatre Company guest Director, Katie Marquardt; Produced by The Star Theatre Company Producing Artistic Director, David Schulz.

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After premiering at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego on September 22, 1988, Rumors made its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 17, 1988. This will be its 35th anniversary.

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Synopsis:  Four couples are invited to the townhouse of their friend, and deputy New York City mayor, and his wife to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. However, as each couple arrives, they soon discover that there are no servants, the hostess is missing, and the deputy mayor has shot himself in the head (it’s only a flesh wound). Comedic chaos ensues filled with confusion and miscommunication, as everyone’s upper-class status is threatened by deciding how to conceal the evening’s events from the local police and the media.

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Prepare: 2-minute comedic monologue from any theatrical piece – classical or contemporary

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Bring: headshot and resume to the audition

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Audition Date: Monday, December 12th 6pm – 9pm

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Callback Date: Tuesday, December 13th 5:30pm – 9:30pm

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Cast Meeting and Read Through:  Thursday, December 15th 6pm

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Rehearsals Start: Monday, January 9th (Time TBD) *

*Rehearsals will be Monday – Thursday

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Show Times: February 17th – 19th and 24th – 26th (Friday/Saturday 7:30pM, Sunday 2pm)

 

Character Breakdown

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Character age is somewhat flexible. Actor must be able to play the age, not necessarily be that age. The primary concern is that couples look like they “go together”. The play is a typical farce – very fast-paced with verbal and physical comedy that requires a good range of movement.

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Couple #1:
Ken Gorman: M, 40-50, well-spoken, well-to-do, slightly pompous attorney. A bit high strung; married to Chris Gorman; fast-paced dialogue.

Chris Gorman: F, 35-45 -- Ken’s elegant and attractive wife. Slightly neurotic and easily flustered, streak of sarcasm and dry wit; physical comedy; recently quit smoking.

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Couple #2:
Lenny Ganz: M, 35-45 -- An accountant who has just wrecked his brand-new BMW on way to scene. Outspoken, sarcastic, and very likeable, but the most foul-mouthed. One of the main drivers of comedy.

Claire Ganz: F, 35-45 -- Lenny’s gossipmonger, high-society, attractive Westchester-New York wife. Sharp, witty, smart-mouthed.

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Couple #3:
Ernie Cusack: M, 40-55 - A smug and slightly quiet psychiatrist. He is the calming presence in the storm of confusion and tries to be helpful.

Cookie Cusack: F, 40-50 -- Ernie’s wife and a cooking show host who suffers with severe back spasms. She has a very dramatic, physical personality. A little ditzy but sincere. Must have great physical comedy skills.

 

Couple #4:
Glenn Cooper: M, 35-45 -- An ambitious, polished man preparing for a run for the NY state senate. A Kennedy-type.

Cassie Cooper: F, 25-35 -- A jealous, but insecure type who believes in the healing power of crystals. Glenn’s trophy wife. Insecure, sexy, shrewish.

 

Supporting:

 

Officer Welch: m or F, 35-50 -- A vigorous, no-nonsense, straight-talking, veteran police officer who does not tolerate lying.

 

Officer Pudney: m or F, 23-31 -- A rookie cop. Strong and silent type.

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The Star Theatre Company is committed to diversity and encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.