Neil Simon's Rumors
Presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals​​​​
Directed by Wendy Tennis
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When they gather to celebrate a tenth wedding anniversary, four New York power
couples experience a severe attack of Farce.​
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ACT is thrilled to announce a return to non-musical theatrical productions with Neil Simon’s uproarious farce, Rumors, set for Fall 2025. This marks ACT’s first play since 1999, a quarter-century hiatus that makes this production a momentous occasion as we gear up for our landmark 50th anniversary year in 2026. Adding to the excitement, Rumors will play at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO and Ute Theater in Rifle, CO. Always welcoming actors and volunteers from across the valley, this will be the first time ACT has ever performed outside of Aspen, taking the show on the road to share with our wider community!
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Auditions:
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Aspen | Aspen High School Black Box Theatre
Saturday, August 2nd, 1pm - 4pm
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Carbondale | Thunder River Theatre
Saturday, August 9th, 9am - 12pm
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CALLBACKS
Carbondale | Thunder River Theatre
Sunday, August 10th, 10am - 1pm​
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COMMITMENT
September 20th - November 23rd
Rehearsal schedule will be set based upon final cast. Expect 2-3 weekly weeknight rehearsals plus a few weekends. There will be an extended schedule during tech week for both Aspen and Rifle performances.
PERFORMANCES
Wheeler Opera House
November 13, 14, 15, 16
​&
Ute Theater
November 21, 22, 23
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Cast members must be 18+ years old. Fill out and bring the Audition Form. Prepare a one-minute comedic monologue of your choice, to be presented in front of the whole group. Individual scene readings from the play will be assigned by the director during auditions. Expect to be on-site for the entirety of the audition and callback time slots.
Email or call an ACT representative with questions or to learn more about volunteer opportunities (crew, set-building, hair, makeup, props): 970-924-0639, info@aspencommunitytheatre.org
Show Information:​​
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Summary
At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden's Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though it's only a flesh wound, Charlie Brock's self-inflicted injury sets off a series of events causing four couples to experience a severe attack of farce.
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As their tenth wedding anniversary party commences, Charlie lies bleeding in another room, and his wife Myra is nowhere in sight. The first guests, lawyer Ken Gorman and his wife Chris, scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
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History
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. Directed by Gene Saks, the production featured Christine Baranski, Ken Howard, Ron Leibman, Joyce Van Patten and Jessica Walter.
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Cast List
KEN GORMAN – A well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but by no means pretentious. Takes charge of the situation. Married to Chris. Halfway through the show, a gunshot causes his temporary deafness.
CHRIS GORMAN – Another lawyer, married to Ken. Beautiful, easily flustered. Frantically tries to maintain normalcy at the party. Has recently quit smoking, which drives her to drink a bit more.
LENNY GANZ – A wealthy accountant, distraught over the recent destruction of his new car. Starts the show with an extreme case of whiplash. Intolerant of the gossipy lifestyle that he is often involved in.
CLAIRE GANZ – Lenny’s wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers and others’). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip.
ERNIE CUSACK – A psychiatrist. Affable, smokes a pipe. Loves his wife very much. Tries to be as helpful as possible cooking the evening’s dinner.
COOKIE CUSACK – Has her own cooking show. Suffers from extreme back spasms. Loves her husband very much. A bit absent-minded at times.
GLENN COOPER – A handsome man running for State Senate. Worried about his own reputation. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair (which he may or may not be).
CASSIE COOPER – Glenn’s beautiful wife. Obsesses over her husband's relationships with other women. Quick to anger. Must rub her quartz crystal to calm herself down.
OFFICER WELCH – A city police officer having a rough night. Does not tolerate lying. Sees through the “classy” façade that these high-society types put up.
OFFICER PUDNEY – Welch’s partner. A strong but silent type.