'Rumors' run rampant at Brewery

Neil Simon's "Rumors," which opens 8 p.m. tonight, follows the winding web of deceit woven during a 10th anniversary party gone wrong.

The Proscenium Players Inc. will stage Neil Simon's farce at the Brewery Arts Center Fridays and Saturdays through March 9.

The story opens with Ken and Kris Gorman -- first to arrive at the party -- dealing with the host's gunshot wound to the earlobe. As Charlie, the deputy mayor of New York City, bleeds upstairs, his wife, Myra, is nowhere to be found and the food for the party is unprepared in the kitchen.

Ken and Kris take things into their own hands. Seeking to protect their friends from scandal, they conjure a series of lies to cover up what really happened.

The Gormans "don't know what to tell the other guests," said Maizie Harris Jesse, co-producer of the stage play along with Tim Morsani and Jonni Moon. "No one can remember who told what to whom."

Confusing the tangle of rumors even more are doctor calls and a police visit. The officers are actually investigating a traffic accident involving another guest couple, but get caught up in the rumor mill. Then there's the litany of gossip heard at the private tennis club thrown into the mess.

"We have a really good cast," director Leslie Holland said of the ensemble cast. Holland also works with The Actory in Reno.

"The cast is phenomenal. They really work together well," Jesse said.

The stage crew also worked magic on the set. Creating the living room of an upper class home entailed more than a paint brush and garage-sale furniture.

Furniture, artwork and area rugs were assembled -- even coordinated -- from the homes of board members, cast members, relatives, used furniture stores and the library. Old carpet being thrown out during a home remodeling became the carpet for the stage stairway and landing.

"Fortunately it matched," Jesse said.

And the oak-stained wood trimming the set would look marvelous in anyone's home.

"The trim cost half the cost of the entire set," she added.

There's even a faux-brick outside wall visible from the picture window showing headlights as guests and police arrive.

"Rumors," considered one of funniest of Simon's run of exceptionally funny plays contains adult language that may not be appropriate for children.

For adults, however, it's an evening of side-splitting laughter.

The Brewery Arts Center is located at 449 W. King St. in Carson City. Tickets, which are selling fast, are $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors, students, plus Proscenium Players and Brewery members. Call (775) 883-1976 for reservations.

IF YOU GO

What: "Rumors"

Who: Proscenium Players, Inc.

When: Fridays and Saturdays through March 9

Where: Brewery Arts Center

Cost: $12 general admission and $10 for seniors, students and members.