|
The Berea College Theatre Laboratory begins its 2005-2006 performing
season with Neil Simon’s hilarious Rumors opening October
21 in the McGaw Theatre. The production is directed by new faculty
member Rodney Clark.
Rumors is a fast-paced, super-energetic farce that will keep the
audience laughing. Four couples arrive at a friend’s house
to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary. But the party never
begins because the host has shot himself (it’s only a flesh
wound), and the wife is missing! During the evening, as his friends
try to keep the incident quiet, no one can remember who knows what,
who told whom. People come and go, the police arrive, doors slam,
and hilarity abounds. The play is Neil Simon at his best.
Coming to Berea from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was an assistant
professor and coordinator of the theatre program at Tulsa Community
College, Clark picked this particular play because that he wanted
to do something fun that would allow him to get a better sense
of the students and their talents. “I wanted the opportunity
to get to know the faculty and students in addition to giving them
a chance to get to know me, and work hard to present an enjoyable
evening for the Berea community,” says Clark. He was extremely
surprised and happy at auditions, during which over sixty students
of various race, gender, culture, and age auditioned. “If
I have ever been blown away by an audition it has been here, it
was not easy for me to cast this show.”
Rumors features a delightful cast of ten talented and diverse
students, with scenic and lighting design by Shan R. Ayers; costume
design by Mary Ann Shupe; make-up and hair design by Morgan Younge;
sound design by Virte Fogarty; and props design by Chenoa Shannon.
Performances for Rumors are October 21, 22, 26-29, at 8pm in the
McGaw Theatre. Tickets range in price from $5 to $10 and can be
reserved by calling the Berea College Theatre Box Office at (859)
985-3300 Monday through Friday, 1-5 pm. Berea College students
are admitted free of charge. As a service to our community, a sign-interpreted
performance is offered Friday, October 28, listening devices for
the hearing impaired, enlarged programs for the sight impaired,
and special parking and seating privileges for those needing physical
assistance. Note: this production may not be suitable for the very
youngest of children.
|
