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The Lycoming College theatre department will end the 2024-2025 season with Neil Simon’s hilarious farce “Rumors”. The show runs April 9-12 in the Mary L. Welch Theatre on the Lycoming College campus, with all shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved ahead of time. Click here to reserve your ticket.
When Ken and Chris arrive at their friend’s house for a wedding anniversary celebration, they find an unbelievable situation — Charley is bleeding from his head and his wife Myra is missing. As more and more guests arrive, hilarity ensues as Ken and Chris attempt to protect their friend’s privacy and the remaining guests begin to speculate on Charley’s whereabouts. Panic arises as they attempt to keep the situation under control, characters become even more outrageous as the situations become even more outlandish. Misunderstandings, miscommunications, mistaken identities, eavesdropping, and slapstick comedy keep the audience greatly entertained.
The following Lycoming students have been cast in the production:
- Ken Gorman is played by Chase Bower ’26, corporate communications and creative writing double major with a German minor;
- Chris Gorman is played by Olivia Weaver ’27, theatre-acting major with an anthropology minor;
- Leonard Ganz is played by Chayton Wesneski ’26, creative writing major with a theatre performance minor;
- Claire Ganz is played by Olivia DeFraia ’27, musical theatre and psychology double major
- Ernie Cusack is played by Gannon Bruno ’27, history major working toward education certification;
- Cookie Cusack is played by Melody Blahut ’25, creative writing major with a theatre performance minor;
- Glenn Cooper is played by Kyle Czekaj ’28, theatre design and tech major;
- Cassie Cooper is played by Adriana Seiberlich ’27, theatre-acting major with an anthropology minor;
- Officer Welch is played by Tony Daily ’27, psychology major with a theatre minor;
- And Officer Pudney is played by Sydney Cox ’28, psychology major with a musical theatre minor working toward Pre-K to 4 education certification.
“ ‘Rumors’ will surprise and delight the audience with its frenetic pace and clever wordplay,” said Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian, Ph.D., director of the production, professor of theatre at Lycoming College, and chair of the department. “The farce is particularly relevant today, as it skillfully reflects the modern era's preoccupation with appearances, misinformation, and the frantic attempts to manage public perception, making the play both hilariously entertaining and subtly thought-provoking.”
“Working on the show has been an amazing experience,” said Bower. “Not only is the show a blast, but the process serves to cultivate attentiveness, passion, and other qualities expected of me in the workforce.”
Lycoming College’s theatre program is full of opportunities for practical experience. Students flourish as they explore concentrations in acting, directing, musical theatre, design/technology, and stage management. As early as freshman year, students are encouraged to audition for shows and become involved in productions. The curriculum combines practical training in every aspect of theatre with a look back at the history and literature that has shaped theatre as an art form. More information on theatre at Lycoming College can be found online.
All shows begin at 7:30pm with the house opening at 7:00 p.m. Tickets, including tickets for Lycoming students, faculty and staff, are complimentary and can be reserved through bigtickets ahead of time or at the box office on the night of each performance. No late seating.