Local actors often want to be in local productions because it’s a favorite show. But in the case of “Rumors,” which opens Friday, April 24 at the Ice House Theater, a number of the actors just wanted to get back into theater, in one case after 20 years.
“I was looking for a community and thought, why not get back into acting,” said Payton McKinzie, who graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in December and just moved back to town.
Adam Soriano and Robert Simpkins got into acting because their children had caught the acting bug.
For Soriano, the title of the show caught his eye. He had been in the show back in 1997.
Neil Simon comedy
“Rumors” is the only farce written by prolific playwright Neil Simon (“The Odd Couple,” “Barefoot in the Park,” “Biloxi Blues”). It follows four well-to-do couples invited to the 10th anniversary party of the New York deputy mayor and all the rumors they start when they find the mayor has been shot.
Director Shanna Meier chose the play because she remembered how funny it was.
“I actually costumed ‘Rumors’ in high school and remembered laughing even though I’d already watched it a number of times. It’s such a fun, physical comedy that leaves everyone guessing at what the real story is,” she said.
“You don’t go to this show for any deep meaning. It’s just a bunch of people in this crazy situation,” Simpkins said.
“This is the elite of New York in a big home, all dressed up with a lot of references to expensive things. Simon was probably satirizing a world he knew.”
Soriano added, “It’s fun to see people at this level of society—sort of hoity toity—in this situation. They love gossip and rumor.”
Back into acting
Soriano decided to start acting again because his daughter is doing shows at College of the Sequoias. She was in “Noises Off” there.
“I loved that show. It’s like this one, a crazy farce with people going in and out of doors,” he said.
He first did the show 20 years ago with a group of friends while at Cal State Long Beach.
“When I did it at age 20, it was just fun. With the benefit of being older, I can see how this could be a terrible situation for a politician.”
Simpkins started acting a few years ago. He took his son to an audition and was asked to read for a part. This is the first show he has done that his son isn’t in also.
“I play the mayor’s psychiatrist. He’s straight-laced, but as the story gets more and more ridiculous, he loses it,” Simpkins said. “I like the physicality of it and pushing the envelope. This highly educated and wealthy man trying not to show he’s stressed.”
McKinzie did some theater growing up and at college. When she was looking at audition notices to get back into theater, she decided “Rumors” was the one. She plays one of the police officers who come in at the end of the show.
“It’s a small part, but the officers make it an even bigger problem,” she said. “I’ve been trying my New York accent. My character’s lines are kind of sassy, and they sound more comfortable in a New York accent.”
McKinzie summed up why people would want to see the show.
It’s for “anyone who wants to support local theater, laugh a lot and be frustrated by the characters. You want to yell, ‘What are you doing!?’”
What to know before you go
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors’ brings Tulare County actors back to the stage
Reporting by Donna Orozco, Special to Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
