The Group Rep presents Neil Simon’s classic farce RUMORS, directed by Doug Engalla, produced by Alyson York for the Group Rep. Five neurotic couples gather for a dinner party celebrating one couple’s 10th anniversary. The best laid plans go wildly awry when guests arrive early only to discover their host has shot himself, the hostess and servants are missing, and dinner not ready. As confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into farcical hilarity. The play runs June 15 through July 29 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood, at the edge of the NoHo Arts District. What critics have said about the play “Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh.” – The New York Times “Light, frothy and fun.” – New York Post “Neil Simon makes people laugh a lot!” – USA Today ‘Not only side splitting, but front and back splitting.” – NBC – TV About the Group Rep’s Production, Cast and Design Team Doug Engalla (Director) first joined in 1997 as an Actor; and has directed projects outside of the Company. In 2007, Doug’s first full-length play as Director here was Arsenic and Old Lace, and Rumors marks his seventh production as Director at The Group Rep. Other directorial projects included A Nice Family Gathering, A Nice Family Christmas, and four World Premieres in the Don’t Hug Me musical comedy series. Alyson York (Producer) this is the third show she has produced for The Group Rep; The American Dream (she also directed the play) and A Nice Family Christmas. In addition to directing, Alyson is also an actress; some of her favorite roles include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Uncle Vanya. Alyson received the prestigious Audience Performance Award for the play Little Comedy and was in the staged reading of Nobody’s Home (winner of the summer playwright’s festival at The Road Theatre). Michele Bernath (Choreographer) Eddon Award Actress, Bessie Berger Awake & Sing! Favorites:Calendar Girls, Boeing Boeing, A Nice Family Gathering, Over the River, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Choreographer: That Lovin’ Feeling, Ghost of Gershwin, Don’t Hug Me. Actress, Dancer, Singer: National Tours, Las Vegas etc.( Minnie Faye, Hello Dolly, Aunt Sue, No No Nanette, Anybody’s West Side Story). TV: “My Crazy Sex”, “Taxi”, “Columbo”. Film: featured “Lookin’ Up”. Solo comedy Ballerina Haydn’s Surprise Symphony Hollywood Bowl, L.A. Phil. MFA-UCLA. Who’s in the Cast The cast features the talents of Todd Andrew Ball, Michele Bernath, Patrick Burke, Kent Butler, Fox Carney, Cheryl Crosland, Doug Haverty, LizAnne Keigley, Hisato Masuyama-Ball, Robert McCollum, Judy Rosenfeld, and Debi Tinsley. About the Design and Production Team The Design and Production Team includes Chris Winfield (Set Design), Addison Calvin (Lighting Design), Angela M. Eads (Costume Design), Steve Shaw (Sound Design), Art + Soul Design (Graphic Design), Sophie Lamzik (Assistant Director), John Ledley (Stage Manager), Joseph Marcelo (Lights and Sound) and Janee Hull Page (Assistant Stage Manager). About Show Times and Tickets: RUMORS runs June 15 – August 11. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. Sunday Matinees at 2:00 pm. Talkbacks after Sunday matinees June 24 and July 8. General Admission: $25. Seniors/Students with ID: $20. Groups 10+: $15. Buy Tickets: www.thegrouprep.com or (818) 763-5990. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood 91601. Main Stage Theatre, first floor. Theatre has AC/Heat, and is wheelchair accessible. Snacks and beverage available for purchase in the lobby.
RUMORS
Critics
LemonMeter
Reviews: 7
Reviews
“Rumors” is not one of his most spectacular plays, though it's his first farce, written in 1988. But it's funny and fast-paced. Lots of talk, but no music.
Perhaps it would have been better if Simon had collaborated with Garfunkel.
The fun of this farce is seeing firsthand how the characters stumble on their original stories, and how the plot slowly yet ever so surely unravels. What keeps everything together is the cohesive cast and their superb chemistry and performances.
I think you will find this play to be one of the most hilarious you wil every see.
Director Doug Engalla has assembled a top-notch cast of comic actors, including Kent Butler as Lenny Ganz, whose car is almost totaled by the red sports car. Cheryl Crosland scores comic points as his disenchanted, acid-tongued wife. - RECOMMENDED
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.
Happily for The Group Rep they have once again succeeded in assembling an astonishingly brilliant cast for its presentation of Rumors. The banter is fast paced often sharp and witty with a steady interplay amongst the cast. Almost every line is laugh inducing as the story is told, a story that is all the more hilarious because the audience can easily identify with the events being portrayed on stage.
I found RUMORS to be a fun time even though I didn't necessarily enjoy most of the script. I thought Act 1 was performed better than Act 2, but that might be because by Act 2 I was starting to find Simon's writing a little kitschy and unbearable. Despite all of that, I would recommend RUMORS to my friends and family.
“Rumors” is not one of his most spectacular plays, though it's his first farce, written in 1988. But it's funny and fast-paced. Lots of talk, but no music.
Perhaps it would have been better if Simon had collaborated with Garfunkel.
The fun of this farce is seeing firsthand how the characters stumble on their original stories, and how the plot slowly yet ever so surely unravels. What keeps everything together is the cohesive cast and their superb chemistry and performances.
I think you will find this play to be one of the most hilarious you wil every see.
Director Doug Engalla has assembled a top-notch cast of comic actors, including Kent Butler as Lenny Ganz, whose car is almost totaled by the red sports car. Cheryl Crosland scores comic points as his disenchanted, acid-tongued wife. - RECOMMENDED
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.
Happily for The Group Rep they have once again succeeded in assembling an astonishingly brilliant cast for its presentation of Rumors. The banter is fast paced often sharp and witty with a steady interplay amongst the cast. Almost every line is laugh inducing as the story is told, a story that is all the more hilarious because the audience can easily identify with the events being portrayed on stage.
I found RUMORS to be a fun time even though I didn't necessarily enjoy most of the script. I thought Act 1 was performed better than Act 2, but that might be because by Act 2 I was starting to find Simon's writing a little kitschy and unbearable. Despite all of that, I would recommend RUMORS to my friends and family.