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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Rumors Also see Gil's reviews of Angels in America: Perestroika and Into the Woods
It's the 10th wedding anniversary of wealthy Charlie Brock, the Deputy Mayor of New York, and his wife Myra. They've invited some of their well to do friends over to celebrate, but there is one small problem: it seems someone has shot Charlie in the head. Fortunately, the bullet only graced his earlobe and he has fallen asleep in his upstairs bedroom after taking some Valium. But was it an attempted suicide or a botched murder? And why have Myra and all of the kitchen staff disappeared? Over the course of two hours, their guests try to figure out just what happened with their friends, while deciding if it's better to tell the truth about the events or to lie, in order not to incriminate themselves. And do the rumors they've heard about Charlie and Myra's rocky relationship have anything to do with what's happened? Co-directors Virginia Olivieri and Gary Zaro have cast a good group of actors that form a well-oiled ensemble. While not everyone is as gifted in creating a fully fleshed out character, with a couple being too one note and occasionally exhibiting slightly unrealistic reactions based on what is happening to them on stage, they all end up creating fairly believable characters and do a fine job of delivering the jokes with ease in this virtually nonstop laugh fest. The best of the bunch is the crackerjack team of Tim Fiscus and Amy Garland who play Lenny, Charlie's accountant, and his wife Claire. Fiscus whips himself up into a fever pitch, throwing himself into the numerous physical comedy moments that elicit plenty of laughs. Garland's comical line delivery combined with her sarcastic, agitated looks and gestures are priceless. They form a very realistic and believable couple, as do Wade Moran and Heidi Carpenter as Ken and Chris, the first couple to arrive. Moran does a great job making Ken an energetic, agitated, and expressive mess, and is a hoot when he partially loses his hearing. Carpenter is a gem as the confused wife who can't quite remember who she has told the truth to and who she hasn't. Carpenter and Garland also make you believe they've been good friends for a very long time. Dan Ashlock, Donna Kaufman, Randy Rice, and Aubrie Artiano round out the couples. Kaufman is deliciously wacky as the eccentric Cookie, whose back spasms cause frequent hilarious outbursts. Kelly Fulcher and Keaton Honaker are a pair of cops that show up, with Fulcher appropriately determined as the headstrong policewoman. Olivieri and Zaro have done a very good job of ensuring that the pacing never lags, that their actors deliver the jokes with ease, and that the requisite timing of the farce, with the entrances and exits of the cast members through the synchronized opening and closing of the five doors on stage, are perfectly timed. They also have done an exceptional job of staging the fast-paced action on the small DST Actor's Cafe stage without it ever seeming too cramped. Olivieri and Matt Stetler have crafted an effective two-story set that, even though it may not be quite as elegant a design as it should be to portray a wealthy Westchester mansion, works extremely well. Tamara Treat's smart costumes include crisp tuxedos for the men and some elegant evening gowns for the women. While Rumors may have been Simon's first attempt at writing a farce, the end result of nonstop hijinks, crazy characters, wild situations, and plenty of laughter shows how gifted a comedy writer he is. DST's production is a lot of fun, with solid direction, effective creative touches and a good cast that includes an exceptional comedic performance by Tim Fiscus and effective work by Amy Garland, Wade Moran and Heidi Carpenter. For more information on Rumors at Desert Stages Theatre in Scottsdale, that runs through July 26th, 2015, call 480 483-1664 or visit desertstages.org. Written by Neil Simon Cast: (in order of appearance)
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