Neil Simon's "Rumors" production at Whitehall-Yearling reported by Dianne Garrett

Rumor has it there is a great fall production at Whitehall Yearling High School November 14, 15 and 16. Neil Simon's play, "Rumors", is a hilarious adventure about a group of affluent couples gathering at the home of the Deputy Mayor of New York to celebrate his and his wife's tenth wedding anniversary. All does not go as planned.

Pictured is the cast of "Rumors", which will be presented at Whitehall Yearling High School November 14 and 15. Left to right are Kiki Medrano, Michelle Conison, Deja Franklin, Amber Eck, Jonathan Flores, Rebecca Bryant, Mitchell Harper, Amy Nash, Kim Murry and Carey Adkins.

They soon discover there are no servants or food, and the Deputy Mayor has shot himself in the ear lobe. To add to the chaos, his wife is missing. The story unfolds as they try to do everything to conceal the evening's events from the police and media.

This year's cast of ten consists of six seasoned seniors, three of whom will be attending Ohio University to study theatre and/or dance and music. Those three are Carey Adkins, Deja Franklin and Kim Murry. Jonathan Flores will also be attending OU studying graphic design.

Carey Adkins plays Ken Gorman, who is the best friend to Charlie, the Deputy Mayor. He spends the evening trying to keep everyone calm. This is Carey's seventh production since seventh grade. He noted that this show is well suited for the cast.

Mrs. Gorman (Kim Murry) explains to Mrs. Ganz (Amy Nash) how their friend Charlie has shot himself in the ear in a failed attempt at suicide just prior to an anniversary party.

Kim Murry plays Chris Gorman. This is her first fall play, but she performed in the spring musical, and worked in the technical area for another show. She is excited about "Rumors", and told her fellow cast members, "It's been great being with all you guys".

Jonathan Flores echoed Kim, saying he's had a lot of fun with them preparing for his fourth production.

This is Deja Franklin's seventh show. She plays "Candy". She said this year has been great fun, and she noted how much bigger the set is. "This set has been a new experience", said Franklin.

Amber Eck is hilarious as "Cookie".

Francisca "Kiki" Medrano plays Officer Pudney in her third production. She is headed to DePaul University where she plans to study theatre and play writing. Kiki offered that this has been a great season with a good cast, and a great bunch of seniors. "When we graduate, I will really miss everyone," said Kiki.

Mitchell Harper plays Leonard Ganz, and called it a phenomenal role. "It's been fun to see how we all have grown. It was interesting seeing how everyone interpreted their parts and then acted them out on stage".

The production will be at 7:30 p.m. on November 14 and 15, with a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. A portion of ticket sales on Friday will be donated to the James A. "Herk" Soteriades Scholarship Foundation. The foundation offers two scholarships each year to one student pursuing a college degree in theatre, and another in the safety forces (police/fire/paramedic).

Laughs are guaranteed. Ironically the Broadway production of "Rumor's" opened November 17, 1988.

Reported by Dianne Garrett for Bexley Public Radio.

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Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text and photos are copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Dianne Garrett.