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STAG
Play: Rumors
By: Neil Simon
Reviewed by Peter Kemp for Stage Whispers
Neil Simon's Rumors is about Charley and Myra's 10th anniversary party. The first guests arrive to find Myra missing and Charlie lying with a bleeding ear having been shot. As Charlie is a well known figure, the first guests decide to keep the matter quiet and not tell the other guests, which does lead to some problems and plenty of laughs for the audience.
STAG's stage was well set as the lounge of a New York apartment. The first couple, Chris and Ken Gorman, were played by Jon Michael and Jeanne Snider. Jeanne carried the role with great feeling and projected well. Jon, as her husband, Ken, who was rather overwrought trying to keep the situation under control, did go over the top a little. A lot of shouting, which is in the story, but the theatre is not large, and the shouting could have been modified without losing the essence of the story.
The next couple, Claire and Lenny Ganz, were the unlucky types. On the way to the party they were involved in a car accident, so poor Lenny walked around with a stiff neck and head askew. Justin Hosking handled the character well and it is a wonder he did not get a stiff neck the way he held his head throughput the performance. Dawn Hinrichsen was Claire Ganz, a fine performance.
Cookie and Ernie Cusack were played by Sharon Monaghan and Andrzej Marczynski. Cookie was a television cook and Ernie was a psychiatrist. They took over the catering and were taken by later guests to be the staff. They both worked well together and gave humorous performances.
Sarah Monaghan and Anthony Wemyss were Cassie and Glen Cooper. Cassie arrived already drunk and fighting with her husband and Glenn was standing for the State Senate and tried to do anything to keep his name out of trouble. Both players carried the roles with finesse and projected well.
The last player was Mark McHugh as Officer Welsh. Mark played a completely bemused police officer after hearing the various stories, giving the role the authenticity called for.
STAG produced an enjoyable evening which was enjoyed by the audience.
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