The Troy Theatre will once again come to life during the annual Wheeling Jesuit Performing Arts Series with a student production of “Rumors”, the renowned Neil Simon comedy, which The New York Post calls: “Light, frothy, and Fun!”

“Rumors” is scheduled for February 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m. and 24 at 2 p.m. in Troy Theater on the campus of Wheeling Jesuit University. All performances are free, and open to the public.

“It is great to see so many talented new students interested in our dynamic theater program”, said Dr. Christine Ohl-Gigliotti, Dean for Student Development. “Growing a vibrant culture for fine and performing arts on our campus is a critical component of our mission and an important part of our strategic plan for the future.”

“Our new students will be performing alongside a cast of veteran student actors and technicians that keep our Performing Arts program alive and thriving, ”added Ohl- Gigliotti. The Series is made possible in part by the generous financial support of our Student Government Association and is offered free of charge to the WJU community and the public to enjoy.

Neil Simon is America's best-known living playwright and possibly the most financially successful dramatist of all time. Beginning with Come Blow Your Horn in 1961, Simon has written a long succession of Broadway hit comedies which have earned him huge audiences and numerous prizes, including four Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. Among his better-known plays are Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, and The Sunshine Boys. Rumors, Simon’s 23rd play has been called “the first no-holds-barred farce of his career and ran for 531 performances.

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. 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.

Rumors contains strong language and may not be appropriate for children.

Cast

Character – Actor – Year – Major - Hometown

Chris Gorman - Annamarie Marsilio – Freshman - Elementary Education - Pittsburgh, PA

Ken Gorman - Michael McGrail – Junior - History & Computer Science - Lordstown, OH

Claire Ganz - Kaitlyn Carpino – Sophomore – English - Martin’s Ferry, OH

Lenny Ganz - Wolfgang Zober – Freshman – Physics - California, PA

Cookie Cusack - Elizabeth Bain – Freshman – Chemistry - Pittsburgh, PA

Ernie Cusack - Sam Bauman – Senior – Communications - Grantville, OH

Glen Cooper - Patrick Callahan – Senior – Communications - Martinsburg, WV

Cassie Cooper - Sarah Sleevi – Freshman – Chemistry - Hastings, MI

Officer Welch - Si Gammache – Senior - History & Computer Science - Washington DC

Stage Manager - Libby Sacco – Freshman – Psychology - Bentleyville, PA

Officer Pudney/Assistant Director - Kelsey Zimcosky – Sophomore – Communications - Smock, PA