DINA LONGSTAFF
Guest Writer
dlongstaff@plu.edu
Need a midterms study break? Relax and watch other people humorously handle the troubles of life in Pacific Lutheran University’s upcoming production of “Rumors.”
The colorful cast of 10 brings Neil Simon’s comedy to life.
Focused around an elegant 10th anniversary celebratory dinner, the possible suicide attempt of New York’s Deputy Mayor starts the show. Guests run about trying to figure out what happened before the party.
This farcical play clashes elegance with chaos as hectic situations ensue, but it’s not the first time Simon’s classic comedy has been on campus. The show first ran during the 1998-1999 theatre season.
Seventeen years later, “Rumors” is coming back to PLU’s stage, and this revival could not have come at a more bittersweet time. Professor William Becvar, the 1998 director, passed away Sept. 4, and the current production is now being dedicated in his honor.
“I was a student of his; I became a colleague of his. It is kind of neat that we were doing the show when he passed,” Rumors” director Jeff Clapp said. “It is kind of this nice full circle.”
Clapp was also the technical director of the 1998 production. He wanted to do “Rumors” again not only in honor of Becvar, but because it is a “slamming-door farce.” The actors run around and immerse themselves in the situational comedy of one-liners that are neatly strung together.
“The actors are actually what brings the uniqueness to it. We have several new students in the play and that’s unique,” Clapp said.
Energy and passion are certainly things that the cast feels they have poured into this production.
“We have a great cast lined up ready to do great work,” first-year actor Joshua Wallace said.
Clapp is also certain that this play will have viewers falling out of their seats in laughter.
“You can watch something on television and kind of go ‘huh huh huh,’ […] but you come into the theater with a large group of people out there and these actors running around on stage … you’re going to just laugh your face off,” Clapp said.
“You’re going to have a blast. You’re going to think this is one of the funniest things you’ve ever seen,” Wallace added.
Rumors will premiere in the Eastvold Auditorium Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m., as well as Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. The student preview show is Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for PLU students and alumni. They can be purchased at the door, or by calling (253)-535-7441.
