Piedmont Theatre Ends Season on a Light Note with Neil Simon’s Rumors April 11-14

The Piedmont University Theatre Department concludes the 23-24 Mainstage season with Neil Simon’s murderous farce Rumors, performing April 11-14. The New York Times declares that Rumors “has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh.”

As their 10nth wedding anniversary party commences, the Deputy Mayor of New York City Charlie Brock lies bleeding in his bedroom, and his wife Myra is nowhere in sight. Though it's only a flesh wound, Charlie’s self-inflicted injury causes chaos for his esteemed guests. The first guests, lawyer Ken Gorman and his wife Chris, scramble to get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As speculation and miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into the classic farcical hilarity that we expect from a Neil Simon play.

Rumors will be performed Thursday, April 11 – Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 14 at 2 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Swanson Center for Performing Arts & Communications in Demorest.

“This play was created from top to bottom to be a farce. So, unless how to take a fall after being clothes-lined by a telephone cord while dancing to La Bamba has some deeper meaning for you, there’s not much to think about. But there’s a whole lot to laugh about,” said Piedmont Theatre Professor and Rumors director John Spiegel. “This play is intended to be a lighthearted two hours of fun. Leave your troubles at the door and let our cast and Neil Simon’s writing lift your spirits.”

Spiegel directs the Piedmont production, and Junior Haylie Collins is the stage manager.

Cast members include:
Dakota Rose Chen, in the role of Chris Gorman
Dante Wilson, in the role of Ken Gorman
Laurana Layton, in the role of Claire Ganz
Gabriel Richman, in the role of Lenny Ganz
Ethan Spinks, in the role of Ernie Cusack
Gracie Tipton, in the role of Cookie Cusack
Clayton Maddox, in the role of Glenn Cooper
Ava Kerpics, in the role of Cassie Cooper
Mackenzie Cain, in the role of Officer Welch
Tommie Sirmans, in the role of Officer Pudney

General admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Admission is free for Piedmont University faculty, staff, and students. Tickets may be purchased online at piedmont.edu/tickets or by calling the box office at 706-778-8500 x1355.

About Piedmont University

Founded in 1897, Piedmont University is a private, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering a personalized higher education experience focused on student success, academic achievement, and professional development. Offering a variety of career-oriented majors in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing, Piedmont’s supportive learning environment is defined by small class sizes, with a 12:1 ratio, that allow students to create meaningful relationships with their professors, classmates, and the campus community. Piedmont’s idyllic, 300-acre residential campus is nestled in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains, with a satellite campus situated in the heart of downtown Athens. For more, please visit www.piedmont.edu, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter/X.