Eight guests, six doors, two gunshots, and a telephone that begins to inflict terror every time it rings: these are the essential ingredients for the fast paced farce, "Rumors," directed tightly by Rick Dethlefsen.“Rumors” is one of Neil Simon’s most famous plays, and with good reason. The script is packed full of great one-liners and comedy set-ups with hilarious pay-offs. Mr. Dethlefsen has compiled an amazing cast with great timing and delivery, and he doesn’t waste much time on letting them just sit and breathe. There is constant motion, constant distraction, constant action to be watched and dialogue that moves quickly to keep the frenzy that the guests are feeling fresh.
Ken and Chris Gorman, played by Justin Hein and Rachel Mender, begin the show in a state of panic; they are the unfortunate couple who have the very rotten timing of showing up for an anniversary party early, and are met with a crisis and just don’t know what the hell to do except, well, panic. And they are extremely adept at that.
Mr. Hein in particular was able to act extremely paranoid and scared, but logical and levelheaded with entertaining results. We can see that he’s scared to death in the situation he’s found himself in, and as he tries to hide the truth from the other guests who arrive we can feel the nervous tension drip down his forehead in beads of anxious sweat as he puts on his best smile and repeats “Everything’s fine!” while looking like he’s just come across a murder scene. He becomes even more fascinating to watch from the result of an accident – which I prefer not to give away. Let’s just say that this accident requires Mr. Hein to rely a great deal more on facial expressions for part of the show, and quite honestly, his face speaks volumes without his lips ever needing to say a word. His energy propels the show forward and he was just damned amusing to watch.
Ms. Mender kept up well with Mr. Hein, and part of the fun of her character was watching her get lost in all of the stories that were being told to cover what up what could be misconstrued as a ‘scandal’ for their friend Charlie. She is so shaky from the pressure of remaining calm that her hands can’t hold a cigarette long enough to light it. She doesn’t quite have the stamina Mr. Hein has, but plays her character well as a woman caught in the middle of a drama she just doesn’t have the stomach for.
The next guests to arrive are let in on the secret that Ken and Chris are keeping – Lenny and Claire Ganz, played by Emily Aslakson-Himebaugh and Joseph Dickson – and they handle the stress quite a bit better than Ken and Chris, who confide the nature of the emergency that evening to them. Ms. Aslakson-Himebaugh plays more of a socialite interested in this kind of scene, and makes it clear that she is part of the gossip grapevine at their Society Club and is in on all kinds of secrets. She plays the part of a reluctant and enthusiastic witness to the events of the evening both at once quite well. When things get heated she digs her gorgeous silver heels in and tries to help – often to the irritation of her husband, Lenny.
Joe Dickson’s stellar performance as Lenny is the true highlight of the production. From the moment he enters the room, your eyes are drawn to watch him on stage; he shows a great range of talent and steals the snippets of scenes he’s in with wisecracks, insults, outright anger and frustration. He is able to convey in one grunt, waiting for the telephone, the exact level of irritation he’s aiming towards his wife in that moment, the panic of the situation he’s in, and the impatience at the idiocy around him. Mr. Dickson’s penultimate speech is an outright hilarious gem of comedy; he uses facial expressions and gestures and the entire scope of the stage - this is hands-down the most thrilling scene of the show.
Cookie and Ernie Cusack are the third couple to arrive to the party, and are left in the dark about the nature of the situation. As Cookie, LeAnn Dethlefsen arrives in probably the most God-awful dress seen on stage, and cluelessly infuriates the likes of both Mr. Dickson and Mr. Hein while her husband, played by Mike Stewart, looks on in adoration to her quirky behavior. Ms. Dethlefsen knows how to turn the “ditz power” on – she’s alarmingly good at just not “getting it.” As the pace of the show quickens and the panic becomes more intense, she goes about her business, at times trying to help but mostly getting in the way. Mr. Dickson in particular has some very funny exchanges with her that leave her smiling in her own happy world while he seethes.
Mike Stewart, who has not been on stage in quite some time, is probably the most natural performer of the cast. He takes everything in stride, and plays a very optimistic, eager and genuinely likeable guy. He realizes quite quickly that something isn’t right, and part of what is so funny is that he falls for the cover-up stories being spun and is more than happy lend a hand to help with the festivities of the evening since the maid and butler are gone for the night. His relationship with Ms. Dethlefsen is effortless and smooth; it’s quite believable they are a married couple and play extremely well off each other. And when Mr. Stewart does get stressed, it’s quite hilarious to witness.
The antithesis of the sweet-natured marriage of Cookie and Ernie come in the form of Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Glenn is an ambitious political figure, played by Philip Himebaugh, and Cassie is his bitter wife, played by Amy Winchell.
Mr. Himebaugh is desperate to get his wife to calm down from a bit of a spat as they enter, and with a great deal of vigor he spouts what every man thinks about a woman who is angry with him…his nervous questions and flattery and desire to make the fight end are met with even more poison, which finally push him too far and he loses his temper with his wife, which sends her off to the bathroom for a good pout. He’s a far better politician with the other couples in the party though – eager to please, friendly, and putting on a good face despite the domestic dispute. When events turn south, however, he’s the first to try to get out of responsibility and plays an affable coward quite well. In the end he owns up to his responsibility, and makes up for his prior obnoxious digs at the other guests.
Mr. Himebaugh’s nemesis of the show, in the form of Amy Winchell, was truly marvelous to watch on stage. I actually heard a man next to me say, “Wow, she’s scary.” She is venomous about a perceived affair that she thinks her husband is having with one of his political supporters. From the dialogue it’s simply her jealous streak that prompts her to attack her husband and to deliver stinging zingers in his direction. Ms. Winchell played to devilish delight a woman scorned (or so she thinks), and because she is so caught up in her own indignant anger, the events of the evening fall completely beyond her observation. Bravo, Ms. Winchell, for not being afraid to play truly enraged all the way to the hilt – it was a riveting performance.
Gary Mitchell and Erin Hoffman act as officers called to this party. Ms. Hoffman delivers an adequate performance as something of a rookie cop to the obviously experienced officer, Mr. Mitchell, who delivers a very realistic portrait of a beat cop bringing a bit of realism, finally, to the farce of the evening. He’s intimidating, professional and persistent.
I have to emphasize that the set for “Rumors” is the best set I have ever seen on the Hannah Stage; rich in crimson and creams, it genuinely looks like the house of wealthy man – complete with wall sconces and crystal chandeliers that actually light up part of the stage. LeAnn Dethlefsen pulled double-duty acting in the show as well as designing/dressing the set. Beautiful job, Ms. Dethlefsen – and Mike Stewart also pulled double-duty as an actor and set builder. The costumes, designed by Kathy Weldon, were elegant and befitting of the kind of people who would visit such a house, particularly for a special party. They were flattering to all of the actors and in particular the dress Amy Winchell wore was gorgeous. Even the ugliest costume I’ve ever seen, intentionally designed for Ms. Dethlefsen to wear as Cookie, was a chartreuse delight.
Rick Dethlefsen has a show he should be quite proud of; congratulations to the opening of LCP’s 80th season and for bringing to Lansing area theatre patrons a genuinely funny and fantastical farce.
The show runs one more weekend – don’t miss it!
September 19 & 20 at 8pm
September 21 at 2pm
Adults: $15.00
Seniors(60+)/Students: $13.00
Children: $10.00
STUDENT ticket: $8.00
For reservations call 484.9191
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