SAT introduces theater season with madcap farce
SANDY—Sandy Actors Theatre opens its latest production, Neil Simon’s Rumors, September 23, directed by Patrick Roth and performed by an unusually large cast for SAT. Rumors has been a popular presentation for local theaters since it opened on Broadway in 1988 at the Broadhurst Theatre, under the direction of Gene Saks.
Comic complications emerge when New York elites arrive to a dinner party, only to find the host is bleeding and the hostess and staff are missing. The solution? Hide the evening’s events from the local police and the media!
At a large, tastefully appointed townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Their host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
Rumors features a larger cast than SAT usually stages, but it’s popular enough to attract plenty of local actors to audition. The supporting cast (James Bass, Erin Bass, Ryan Wist, Mary Reischmann, Grady Voigt, and Carita Gilmore)—ably complements the four principals (Kraig Williams, Kelli Lacy, Brick Andrews, and Samrah Tariku).
“I felt this would be an excellent way to jump-start SAT after being decelerated for almost two years by COVID,” said director Patrick Roth. “It’s a particularly challenging play because of its fast-paced, physical components. It’s a very active play.”
Roth is a graduate of Portland’s Actors Conservatory and has performed in many SAT plays over the last decade, including last season’s Things my Mother Taught Me, by Katherine DiSavino. He recently completed an extensive course in clowning and physical humor and is eager to implement what he has learned. “Although Rumors is admittedly a farce, with lots of clowning around,” he said, “it explores new, unusual connections.”
Kraig Williams plays Ken, the Deputy Mayor’s attorney, who is trying desperately to avoid publicity around the attempted possible suicide. Williams has been involved in Portland area theater for over 20 years, notably in Sunshine Boys and Suite Surrender. “Neil Simon’s Rumors has been on my bucket list for a long time,” he said, adding that the tension between trying to be collected and organized in the midst of chaos makes playing his character particularly challenging, but satisfying.
Kelli Lacy plays Ken’s wife Chris. “I’ve known Kraig for 30-35 years, and I’m happy to be playing opposite him. I’ve also been a Neil Simon fan for years,” she said. “When I heard SAT was doing Rumors, I had to audition. My character Chris is kind of the glue that holds everything together, but at the same time she’s falling apart.”
Brick Andrews plays Lenny, jaded, irascible, sarcastic, with a New York accent. “I guess he’s sort of the “sex symbol” of the play,” Andrews said, “but he’s still likeable. The challenge in playing Lenny is to retain both contradictory elements of his personality. I like exploring the duality of man. This character allows me to get lost in that realm.”
Samrah Tariku plays Lenny’s wife Claire. “She’s kind of low-key and spacey, but not weak or dumb. She loves rumors, hearing them and repeating them,” Tariku said. Claire is probably the basis for the play’s title.” She returns to the theatre after ten years offstage, except for extensive symphony performances playing violin and viola. She also spent a year and a half in Guinea, in West Africa, with the Peace Corps. She likes to dance Afro -Cuban Salsa, and she’s trying to get into Nursing.
SAT opens the madcap farce Rumors by Neil Simon Friday, September 23, and extends through Sunday, October 16. The play contains strong, adult language.
Performances are at 7:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 3:00pm. Single Tickets:
$18 general admission. $15 seniors 60+, Veterans. & students with ID. $13 child: (12 and younger). Pay at the door or order online at Sandyactorstheatre.org
A Preview night will be on Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 pm immediately following the 7:00 pm Wy’ East Artisans Guild’s art show “Gossip.” Guests are invited to join the artists as they share the inspiration behind their artwork that tells a story or depicts something worth gossiping about. Tickets for the preview performance are $10.00 and only available at the door
Sandy Actors Theatre is located at 17433 SE Meinig Ave, Sandy, behind Ace Hardware.
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