River City Players take on classic comedy with Simon's 'Rumors'

The River City Players, Cape Girardeau's long-time community theater group, will present Neil Simon's"Rumors," a fast-paced, entertaining farce Thursday through Saturday at Port Cape Girardeau.

"We're always excited when a new production is put together," said Debbie Barnhouse, president of the River City Players' board of directors. "We're getting close to the time when people can see the end result. 'Rumors' is not only a great farce, it's darn funny."

The storyline of "Rumors" centers on a dinner party thrown by Charlie and Myra to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. They've invited eight of their best friends, but when Chris and Ken Gorman arrive, they find Charlie's body covered with blood along with a gun and a suicide note. Myra and Mai Li, the cook, are nowhere to be found. Charlie is barely alive, and Ken remains calm while Chris comes apart at the seams, but they agree not to tell the other guests about Charlie since he's the deputy mayor of New York and has to be protected from the police, nosy journalists and nasty rumors at all costs. It's hard to keep that a secret, and soon the other dinner guests also are speculating what happened to poor Charlie. There are more accidents and a hilarious game of hide-and-seek with the police before a conclusion is reached.

"Rumors" was written by Neil Simon, the renowned American playwright and screenwriter who also penned the theater classics "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "Chapter Two" and "Biloxi Blues." "Rumors" opened on Broadway in 1988 and ran for 535 performances. Christine Baranski, Ken Howard, Ron Leibman and Jessica Walter were among the original cast members, with Veronica Hamel, Larry Linville and Alice Playten joining the cast as replacements during its run.

Even though most of the characters in the play are rich, Barnhouse said anyone will be able to identify with them.

"People will notice that they talk and worry about the same things that regular people do," she said.

Andrea Shovan, the play's director, said the "Rumors" cast was named in March, but recently some performers had to be replaced.

"One of our main characters left to take a job in Atlanta," Shovan said. "Then our leading lady fell off her porch and broke her shoulder. But their replacements have stepped up and are doing a wonderful job. All of the actors are really great."

Shovan, who also has directed "Face County" and "A Night in the Theatre" for the River City Players, said the group wanted to do a well-known show.

"Even if people aren't familiar with the play, they certainly know who Neil Simon is and that it's going to be good," she said.

Opening night for the River City Players' production of "Rumors" is a show-only performance scheduled for Thursday. The play was originally scheduled to start tonight, but the first weekend was canceled. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the play beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 and $10 with a current student photo ID. The dinner-theater shows are May 17 and 18. The dinner theater opens at 6:30 p.m. and the play begins at 8 p.m. both nights. The cost of admission, which includes a full buffet, is $35.

"If you wait too long, you won't be able to get a reservation," Barnhouse said. "You snooze, you lose."

To book reservations for "Rumors," contact Port Cape Girardeau at 334-0954.

Pertinent address:

19 N. Water St., Cape Girardeau, MO