Directed by Jillian B. Von Gunten
Show Dates Feb. 6, 7, 13, 14, 2015 – 8pm
Feb. 8, 15, 2015 – 2:30pm
Adult situations and language
At a large, tastefully appointed Sneden’s Landing 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. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the 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.
Show Info
Rumors (Comedy, Farce)
By Neil Simon
Directed by Jillian B. Von Gunten
Feb. 8, 15, 2015 – 2:30pm
Adult situations and language
Prices: $15, $10 for Senior(55+), Military, Students
Performance location: Zanesville Community Theatre, 940 Findley Ave, Zanesville, Oh.
Tickets may be ordered on-line: Buy Tickets Now or by calling 740-455-6487 to reserve. Wheelchair seating may be ordered on-line or by calling the Box Office.Print your E-Tickets, or pick up your tickets at the Box Office. Season Ticket Holders may order on-line at no charge -Click on the date, Select your seats, and Use “Adult or Senior(55+) or Advertiser – Season Ticket Holder” as the ticket type. No credit card required unless you choose to order additional tickets or to make a donation.
Greg Adams (Ken Gorman) is a native of New Concord where he is currently serving as its Mayor. He also recently retired from Resource Systems after starting the company with his college classmate. He graduated from Muskingum University with a degree in Mathematics. He is married to Eileen Adams, who plays Chris Gorman in the show. Eileen and Greg have 2 grown children, Chelsea and Clare and enjoy traveling to see them as well as general adventuring and exploring.
Greg has been on stage on and off since his college days. One of his early parts was playing Felix in “The Odd Couple” when he shared the stage with his girlfriend (later to be wife) Eileen who played a Pigeon sister. He is looking forward to enjoying the fun of Neil Simon again.
Some of Greg’s favorite roles include: Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Falstaff in the Merry Wives of Windsor, Elyot Chase in “Private Lives”.
Greg is returning at the encouragement of his wife Eileen. He is excited about his first appearance with the ZCT group, but feels a kindred spirit, as his grandparents Bob and Mabel Adams were early dedicated members of the ZCT board. He is honored to be involved with an experienced director and share the stage with many seasoned fellow actors for this production.
Eileen Adams (Chris Gorman) – is a native of the Pittsburgh area and has lived in New Concord since graduating from Muskingum University with a degree in Communications and Theater. She is married to Greg Adams, who plays Ken Gorman in the show, and they have two grown daughters, Chelsea and Clare.
Eileen has acted in or directed more than 100 shows over the years, including high school, college, community, church, radio and alumni productions. She has also directed 6th-8th grade students at East Muskingum Middle School the past 14 years.
Some of Eileen’s favorite roles include: Blanche in “Streetcar Named Desire,” Florence in “The Female Odd Couple,” Annie Glenn in “The Annie Glenn Story,” Alice in “You Can’t Take it With You,” Amanda in “Private Lives,” Anne in “6 Rms Riv Vu,” and has played both Pigeon sisters in “The Odd Couple.” She performed a 15-minute monologue of Mary in several area churches this past December.
Eileen enjoys the comedy of Neil Simon and hopes the audience has some hearty laughs during the show. She thanks director Jillian for giving her the opportunity to act alongside Greg. Eileen and Greg met during theatrical productions in college. They both even once played dwarfs in “The Hobbit.”
Enjoy the show, and thank you for supporting ZCT!
When Jared is not on stage, he juggles for the fire and light group Pyrotechnika. He lives in Zanesville with his wife Sarah, and their three children: Julia, Madeline and Grayson.
Sarah Gantzer (Cookie Cusack) – Sarah Gantzer is excited to play the delightfully quirky Cookie Cusack! Not only does she get to be married to her Jared onstage and off, she gets to be a part of a fantastical cast with some of her best friends! She is especially thrilled to play Cookie because, like Sarah, Cookie believes in sprinkles, and chocolate, and adding love to every bite!
Previous favorite roles for Sarah include Gerda Cristow in The Hollow, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, and Marian the Librarian in The Music Man. She also quite excited to direct Alice in Wonderland Jr. at The Renner in March.
Sarah lives in Zanesville with her husband Jared, daughters Julia and Maddie, and son Grayson. When not teaching her rambunctious group of 1st graders, she loves leading Girl Scout Troop #1794, coaching R.O.S.A. Soccer, and basically leaving sparkles wherever she goes. She thanks you kindly for supporting the arts in Zanesville.
Originally from Perry County, Tahnee now lives with her husband and three cats in Zanesville. She has been in productions with New Lexington High School and Community Theatre, Hocking College and Havering College in England, and Zane Trace Players. This will be her fifth show with ZCT. Her favorite role thus far is Doralee in 9 to 5 The Musical.
Tahnee feels blessed to be surrounded by this amazing community of truly talented people and she can’t wait for another show! She hopes the audience enjoys this farce as much as she has.
Production Staff
Jillian B. Von Gunten (Director) – Jillian has participated in local theater all of her life and currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Zanesville Community Theatre. Some of her favorite roles include: Maggie in “A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” Alais in “The Lion in Winter,” Nancy in “OLIVER!” and Barbara Fordham in “August: Osage County,” all at Zanesville Community Theatre, and Stella Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire,” at The Renner. Some of her favorite shows to direct were: “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” “HONK,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Jillian currently serves as the Coach for Powerhouse’s SPARKS!! Improv Troupe and works in Zanesville as an attorney at Allen & Baughman, Attorneys at Law.
Director’s Notes:
My first exposure to Neil Simon’s work was in high school. During my junior and senior years, I had the great luck to be in performances of “Rumors” and “The Female Version of the Odd Couple.” Of course, because this was high school, they were edited. Significantly. Regardless, I sort of fell for Mr. Simon. His work is somewhat iconic in the American theater – many try to duplicate it with rare success. His dialogue is fast paced, rhythmic, and, if you ask my actors, occasionally maddening because of the way he repeats, changes, and reinforces his story line. More than anything, his work is funny; his characters find themselves in ridiculous situations with hilarious results. There isn’t a great moral or philosophical question here, just laughter. (We hope!)
Simon’s dialogue only works if you have truly talented actors to carry it off during the show. As a director of a comedy, casting is somewhat an exercise in terror – comedy is hard (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They’re lying, I assure you.) and comedians aren’t a dime-a-dozen. This show requires 10 strong comedians and is, therefore, a casting nightmare. However, sometimes the theater gods look favorably upon a poor director and such was my experience with this show. Wowee, these actors! They’re amazing! (And, no, they aren’t paying me to say that.) Directing this show has been one of the most fun directing experiences I have ever had. Yes, ever. I get to come to rehearsal and work with people who are incredibly talented, understanding of the process of character creation and craft of making theater happen, supportive of me and one another, and so kind. I’ve enjoyed nothing so much as watching these folks work – creating characters, breathing life into them, and laughing with one another. It has been a joy and I am so grateful to them.
In short, what you’re about to see is one of my favorite comedies brought to life by some of my favorite people. They are talented craftspeople I’m honored to call my friends. I’m terrifically proud of the shenanigans about to ensue – the loud noises, yelling, drinking, laughing, and all around silliness. I can only hope you enjoy watching the show as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together. You have my genuine and sincerest thanks for supporting the arts in Southeastern Ohio and for choosing to join us at Zanesville Community Theatre today.
JK Images Photography www.jkimages.zenfolio.comD and Re Photography dandrephotography@gmail.com
Show Dates Feb. 6-8 and 13-15, 2015.
Prices: $15, $10 for Senior(55+), Military, StudentsTickets may be ordered on-line: Buy Tickets Now or by calling 740-455-6487 to reserve.
Performance Location
Zanesville Community Theatre, Inc.
940 Findley Ave
Zanesville OH 43701