Introducing the first show of its 52nd season, The Blue Slipper Theatre of Livingston will present “Rumors” by Neil Simon with performances on Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm, April 1st-24th.
Admission is $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors over 60. Please be advised, this play contains strong adult language and is suitable for ages 16+. 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 miscommunications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
This is the only farce that Neil Simon wrote and it is regarded as one of his funniest and best plays. The New York Times said, “Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh.” The New York Post called it, “Light, frothy and fun.” USA Today commented, “Neil Simon makes people laugh a lot!” And NBC-TV added, “Not only side splitting, but front and back splitting.” Special permission to perform given by Samuel French, Inc. Directed by Gary Fish, “Rumors” stars Gary Fish, Debbie Jamieson, Jason Moreland, Carmen Dunn, Tim Schaeffer, Peggy Wesigerber, Christopher DeJohn, Shannon Moreland, Michael Ross, and Kelsey Huber. The Blue Slipper is also seeking six women, ages 20-70, to audition for roles for a stage production of “Steel Magnolias” by Robert Harling on Monday, April 18th and Tuesday the 19th.
The production is to be directed by Christopher DeJohn. The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength–and love–which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny, and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad. Special permission to perform given by Dramatists Play Service. The Blue Slipper Theatre continues its tradition of offering the best in community theater as it has for 50 years. Located in the heart of Livingston’s historic downtown district, the theatre produces four or five full-length productions each season, with a variety of comedic and dramatic selections included in the annual lineup. The Blue Slipper hosts touring productions, music, and comedy throughout the year and offers a holiday variety program to the public free of charge.
The Blue Slipper also hosts a Kids Playwriting Festival in the spring to give area students the opportunity to write, direct and star in their own plays. The theatre is located at 113 East Callender Street. For tickets or more information, call 406-222-7720 or visit blueslipper.com/. •
