The big “rumor” going around town is that audiences are just loving Lakeside Little Theatre’s third play of the season.
Played strictly for the laughs, “Rumors” is true farce because every moment is fraught with peril or folly of some sort.
The play first opened on Broadway in 1988 at the Broadhurst Theatre. It is something of a throwback to the screwball drawing room comedies of the 1930’s. LLT’s production was wonderfully entertaining and well directed by Paul Kloegman. He ensured that every comedic moment was well choreographed and executed with precision by the excellent cast.
The story is about four couples who arrive at the home of Charlie Brock, deputy mayor of New York, and his wife Myra. They have all been invited to celebrate the Brocks’ 10th anniversary and suddenly find themselves in a developing set of unexpected circumstances. Things go array. The staff is absent, Myra is missing, Charlie has taken a gun and shot himself (although it’s only a flesh wound to his earlobe). Suddenly eight successful professional adults become eight scrambling lunatics who, while running for cover, turn on each other at a moments notice.
The play opens as Chris Gorman, an elegant high strung suburbanite, depicted with skill and panache by Collette Clavadetcher, tries to handle the confusing situation. Husband Ken Gorman, an excitable but well spoken attorney, was charming and believably portrayed by director Kloegman.
Candace Luciano did a very impressive job as Claire Ganz, the gossipy attractive New York socialite. Claire’s other half Lenny, played by Dave MacIntosh, had the audience in his hands as he tickled us with his rapid fire lines and his impressive timing. Ernie and Cookie Cusak, skillfully performed by Zane Pumiglia and Georgette Richmond did a first rate job. Al Kirkland Jr. was perfect as the polished politician Glenn Cooper, and Sharon Lowry, as his trophy wife Cassie, was spunky and seductive. Fred Koesling took the part of Officer Welch and was convincing as the straight talking veteran cop, while Alice Poltrock, a first timer in the theater, was quite plausible as Officer Pudney, a rookie policewoman.
Thanks to Johanna Clarke who did the costumes, the cast was stunningly dressed in evening attire – a nice counterpoint to the chaos in the play. Kudos go to Richard Bansbach and his construction crew for designing the set from only an angled photo taken off the internet and a sketch on a paper napkin. Way to go guys! Beth Cathcart did the set décor and it was the perfect interior designed living room for an upper class home in the swanky Sneden’s Landing, New York Beautiful! Joan Warren and Dana Douin collaborated with Cathcart. Pierre Huot did the lighting along with newcomer Don Stordahl. The sound was designed and operated by Karen Lee who doesn’t miss a cue. Props was headed up by Joan Warren and her terrific crew. Helena Feldstein and her makeup team made everyone look amazing! Win McIntosh filled in as production assistant and the show went up each night in the capable hands of Stage Manager Leslie DeCarl.
“Rumors” was an enjoyable romp with a cast of priceless nuts. Kloegman successfully supported Mr. Simon’s view that the soul of farce is “to make the mundane insane.”
Kudos to all.