'Rumors' to open at Gallery

Mishaps and subterfuge lead to lots of laughs in Neil Simon’s farcical “Rumors,” which opens Friday, Oct. 16, at Gallery Theater in McMinnville.

Carolyn McCloskey is directing the comedy, featuring a 10-member cast. Curtain will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 7, in the theater at Second and Ford streets.

“Rumors” begins at a couple’s 10th anniversary party. Guests arrive two-by-two to find that things have gone awry — to begin with, someone is missing and someone may have been shot. Things get more convoluted as time goes on.

“The lies compound and it devolves into utter chaos,” McCloskey said.

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She called the script “hilarious.” “Neil Simon is the best. He gives you the best lines,” she said.

In addition, she said, her actors are doing a great job bringing the show to life. The show features a mixture of Gallery regulars — including a couple who were in the theater’s first production of “Rumors” many years ago — and newcomers. 

“To me, that’s the magic of community theater, the experienced mixing with the new and enthusiastic,” she said. 

Cast members are John Hamilton, Lesli Lucier, Tim Jaeger, Deborah Johansen, Norm Tognazzini, Meridith Symons, Walter Haight, Julia Sargent, Nolan Chard and Shannon Brame.

The action takes place on a two-story set with five doors, including one through which the rest of the upscale New York house can be seen. The director said it’s been a challenge getting the set just right and developing the timing of characters going in and out.

Getting the set just right is always important to McCloskey, who is known for her detailed decorations and furnishings. “I want the audience to feel like they’ve stepped right into the living room with the characters,” she said.

The set also helps actors become the characters they’re playing. “The set sets the tone for the whole show,” she said.

In addition to looking right, the set needs to be sturdy, so it can withstand several weeks of rehearsals and shows. For “Rumors,” volunteers had to build a staircase that not only fits the visual style, but is safe for actors running up and down every night, McCloskey said.

The stage manager is Jennifer Dolphin. Costumes are under the direction of Kelly Ashton. Mike Pace designed the sound and Karen Root designed the lighting.

Gilbert Cho and Shannon Brame painted the set, which was built by Bill McCloskey, Rolan Cranford, John Aston, Nathan Verhoef and Norm Tognazzini.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. On the first Saturday, Oct. 17, tickets will be sold on a two-for-one basis.

Reservations can be made by calling the box office, at 503-472-2227.

Tickets for the Oct. 30 show are available only through the Yamhill County Democrats.

For more information, call Jan Schenk at 503-472-1743 or contact her by e-mail at schenkj815@gmail.com.

The director says the play contains some adult language and situations, making it rated PG-13.