Neil Simon's "Rumors" at Ocala Civic is Too Good to Miss



                                                                               photo provided

Rumor has it that the comedy-farce “Rumors” now playing at the Ocala Civic Theatre is ‘too good to miss.’ In this case, the rumor is true as Director Christine Perry whips ten of the area’s most talented actors into a sparkling rendition of what is widely considered one of Neil Simon’s top three plays. The only disappointment for theater-goers is that this Signature Presentation is scheduled for only two weekends.

Simon’s play is a parody on four wealthy, self-centered New York couples who are invited to the tenth wedding anniversary of their friend, Charlie Brock, Deputy Mayor of New York and wife Myra who, incidentally, are never seen. Charlie’s lawyer Chris Gorman (Chip Morris) and wife Chris (Laura Bradford) find him semi-conscious in an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot through his ear lobe. They try to cover up the situation as guests Lenny and Claire Ganz (Jeff Cole, Joy Newkirk); Ernie and Cookie Cusack (John LaPaille, Barbara Lorio); and Glenn and Cassie Cooper (Esteban Alvarez, Robin Lynn Koper) arrive.

Later, Police Officer Welch (Ken Noble) and Officer Pudney (Elizabeth Underwood) try to bring order out of chaos.

The exceptionally fast pace of the first act is what makes this show a winner. Veterans Cole and Morris are standouts in rapid-fire delivery with excellent diction and the others keep up with them.

Brock’s home is upscale New York as only OCT can create. The full staircase and balcony are used expertly to underline the mayhem.

Koper, Underwood, and Lorio all make fine debuts on the OCT stage. Lorio brings along not only talent but also a bevy of ticket holders from Del Webb at Spruce Creek and also from The Villages.

The only chink in the performance is the believability that Cusack is really a Psychiatrist or that Cooper is a politician. That did not, however, prevent LaPaille and Alverez from getting laughs.

“Rumors” is a Signature Presentation at Ocala Civic Theatre that runs only through next weekend, Wednesday-Sunday January 11-15 For ticket prices, availability, and curtain times for this show that is ‘too good to miss,’ click logo on the left.

NOTE: Adult language (if you are quick enough to catch it!)