Tryon Little Theater’s “Rumors,” a Neil Simon comedy, introduces audiences to a bunch of madcap characters who arrive for a 10th anniversary dinner only to find things not as they expected.
First on the scene are the Gormans, Chris and Ken, who find, among other things, that their host has just tried to commit suicide.
Donna Everett plays Chris, a nervous, neurotic, contract lawyer who has recently quit smoking.  But with the stress of everything going on, she is sorely tempted to pick up the habit again.  You may even see her — in an act of desperation — try to smoke a Q-tip. If you’re a reformed smoker, you will certainly sympathize.
Brad Peterson plays Ken, her husband. Also a lawyer, he’s a know-it-all, pompous man, who at times seems even more neurotic than his wife. Poor Ken has an accident with a shotgun during the show, which leaves him quite deaf, and although the other house guests shout, he constantly mishears what is being said.
This is Peterson’s third show for TLT, appearing as Mr. Body in “Clue,” and Dwayne in “9 to 5 the Musical.”
“I’ve been in community theater since my college days,” he says, “and I love it still! I’ve also grown to love the cast of “Rumors.” It truly feels like family — a very dysfunctional family, but family non-the-less.”
Everett is no newcomer to the TLT either, having recently appeared in “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.”
“I auditioned for this show because I’d actually directed it when I lived in Richmond and I knew how funny it was,” she says. “A friend of mine has described the show as “I Love Lucy” meets “Friends.” Claire Ganz (played by Sandie Bright) is my character Chris’ best friend.  She is the Ethel Mertz to my Lucy.”
Directed by Debbie Graig-Archer, Neil Simon’s “Rumors” runs two weekends: Nov. 14-17 and 21-24 at the TLT Workshop at 516 S. Trade St. in Tryon.
Evening performances start at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the workshop box office (Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday 4-7 p.m).
Call 828-859-2466 for more information, or to reserve tickets.
– article submitted
by Monica Jones