‘Rumors’ to be presented at Westland Inspire Theatre

Inspire Theatre in Westland is lunging into the new year with a redux of master playwright Neil Simon's Rumors. Set in an upscale New York suburb, Rumors is a  romp through a farcical evening of mayhem, mischief, and mistaken identities, according to Inspire Theatre Managing Director Len Fisher.

Ken and Chris Gorman, played by Inspire Theatre first-timers Steve Sedore and Leanne Young of Plymouth and South Lyon, respectively, arrive first at the home of Deputy New York City Mayor Charlie Brock and his wife, Myra, to attend their 10th wedding anniversary celebration. They soon discover, however, that there is no household staff, the hostess is missing, and the deputy mayor has shot himself in the head (it's only a flesh wound).

Comic complications arise when they decide to protect their upper-class status at all costs and conceal the evening's events from the local police and media. Also new to Inspire Theatre productions, Shayne Beasley-Young of Farmington Hills joins Inspire veteran Sonya Artman of Plymouth to portray Lenny and Claire Ganz, whose characters introduce more gossip into the evening with their appearance.

 Furthering the shenanigans are returning Inspire regulars David Zolotarchuk of Ypsilanti, Pat Rodgers of Novi, Courtney Nixon of Farmington, and Mike Whitcher and Bailey Hansen of Westland. Rounding out the ensemble is newcomer Mike Stec of Wyandotte. 

Inspire Theatre first presented Rumors in the spring of 2012. Fisher said he has wanted to revive the show for the last few years but the timing didn't seem right. However, coming out of the pandemic shutdown, he said he feels now is the "perfect opportunity to start afresh and take an updated look at some of the classics from past seasons. I love farces. (This season includes two farces.) It's ridiculous fun to allow actors to push the limits of absurdness. And our audiences enjoy watching the cast enjoying themselves onstage," he added.

Rumors opens Jan. 14 and continues for three weekends. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased online at inspiretheatre.ticketleap.com or by calling the ticket office at (734) 751-7057. Inspire Theatre is located inside the Westland Center for the Arts, 33455 Warren Road, Westland. 

The play contains language inappropriate for children under 13, Fisher cautioned.

Due to the uncertainty of the times and in order to protect the safety of the cast, crew, and patrons, at this time, all attendees are required to have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 coronavirus. Mask wearing is required while attending performances.