Neil Simon's RUMORS to Play Kelsey Theatre, Beginning 10/23

A 10th anniversary party for a power couple sure sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening - unless you are on the guest list for "Rumors," Neil Simon's hilarious send-up of the privileged class. The Yardley Players presents one of Simon's most celebrated comedies at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre Fridays, Oct. 23 and 30 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 24 and 31 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night show on Oct. 23.

Charley Brock, Deputy Mayor of New York, and his wife, Myra, have invited some good friends to celebrate their wedding anniversary with them. Lawyer-types Ken and Chris Gorman are the first to arrive, but find no signs of a party. In fact, Myra is missing, there are no servants anywhere, and Charley appears to have "accidentally" shot himself in the ear, but is unconscious and unable to tell them what happened. Hoping to avoid a scandal, Ken and Chris begin a well-meaning attempt to conceal what they assume to be the unpleasant truth of the situation. As the other three couples arrive - Len and Claire Ganz, Ernie and Cookie Cusack, and Glenn and Cassie Cooper - the concocted story spirals out of control, with everyone joining in to conceal the evening's events from the local police and media. By the end of Act 2, the cover-up is so complicated that none of them really even understands it. It's all deliciously ridiculous, turning what should have been be a pleasant evening of socializing into crazy town!

Rumors opened on Broadway in 1988 and ran for 535 performances. It continues to be staged around the country and remains one of Simon's most popular comedies.

The cast features (by order of appearance): Susan Galli of Lambertville and Stan Karuzis of Lawrence as Chris and Ken Gorman; Sara Their of Newtown, Pa., and Ron Sangiovanni of Burlington as Claire and Lenny Ganz; Marilyn Licciardello of Pennington and Nathan Parker of Manalapan as Cookie and Ernie Cusack; Judy Venturini of Hamilton and Wayne Rossignol of Hamilton as Cassie and Glenn Cooper; and Charles Acosta of Levittown, Pa., as Officer Welch and Laura Murey Ghaffoor of Yardville as Officer Pudney.

The production staff includes Producer Marge Swider, Director Elizabeth Wurtz and Stage Manager Laura Murey Ghaffoor, with costumes by Louisa Murey, set design by Michael Almstedt, lighting design by M. Kitty Getlik, and sound design by Eric Collins.

Tickets for "Rumors" are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $14 for students/children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Discounted "Pick 6" subscription packages for the 2015-16 season are still on sale. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

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