The Providence Players will celebrate 10 years of performance at the James Lee Community Center Theater with one of Neil Simon’s funniest comedies. Rumors, on stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale RD Falls Church 22042 on May 30th for a three week run. Tickets are on sale now here. Tickets are going quickly for this Neil Simon comedy hit so order yours today to assure the best possible seating.
Four couples arrive at the posh suburban residence of New York’s deputy mayor, and his wife to attend a party celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. The couples soon discover that there are no servants, the hostess is missing and the deputy mayor has shot himself in the earlobe. Comic complications arise when, given everyone’s upper class status, they decide they need to do everything possible to conceal the evening’s events from the local police and the media. The confusion is not helped by the plethora of rumors about the hosts and most of the guests. One of Neil Simon’s best and funniest. Rumors is an adult comedy with some strong language.
Director Liz Mykietyn has assembled an outstanding cast for PPF’s upcoming production of Neil Simon’s Rumors. A great cast as great characters doing what Neil Simon does best – making the mundane…insane!
The Providence Players will celebrate 10 years of performance at the James Lee Community Center Theater with one of Neil Simon’s funniest comedies. Rumors, on stage at the James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale RD Falls Church 22042 on May 30th for a three week run. Tickets are on sale now here. We anticipate tickets to go quickly for this Neil Simon comedy hit so order your tickets today to assure the best possible seating.
Four couples arrive at the posh suburban residence of New York’s deputy mayor, and his wife to attend a party celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary. The couples soon discover that there are no servants, the hostess is missing and the deputy mayor has shot himself in the earlobe. Comic complications arise when, given everyone’s upper class status, they decide they need to do everything possible to conceal the evening’s events from the local police and the media. The confusion is not helped by the plethora of rumors about the hosts and most of the guests. One of Neil Simon’s best and funniest.
Director Liz Mykietyn has assembled an outstanding cast for PPF’s upcoming production of Neil Simon’s Rumors. A great cast as great characters doing what Neil Simon does best – making the mundane…insane!
PPF Announces Cast of Neil Simon’s “Rumors” Which Opens May 30, 2014
Photo by Chip Gertzog, PPF
Four fine actors making their Providence Players debut join six talented PPF veterans to make up the cast of this Neil Simon farce one reviewer called “Not only side splitting, but front and back splitting.”
PATRICK DAVID (Ken Gorman)
Rumor has it this is Patrick’s eighth year with the Providence Players – but who’s counting? During his tenure he has acted in many Providence Players productions, the latest being the dual role of Jean François Millet/Madame Tillou in Is He Dead? by Mark Twain this past spring (directed by Rumors cast member Beth Hughes-Brown). This role that gave him a new appreciation for all the effort that goes into the female wardrobe. Patrick was nominated for WATCH awards for his roles as a Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, and George in Moon Over Buffalo. This versatile actor has appeared in both featured and supporting roles in many PPF productions, including Twelve Angry Men (his debut production), Auntie Mame, The Time of Your Life,Rehearsal for Murder and Play On!. Patrick has also served as set designer and master carpenter on a number of productions. His design for All My Sons was WATCH nominated for best set construction and his set for the PPF production of Sleuth was breathtaking. Besides enjoying his time working in community theater, Patrick is an avid golfer who is still looking for the secret to the golf swing. Read about Patrick’s Path to the Players Here
CHARLENE SLOAN (Chris Gorman)
Rumor has it Charlene is completely infected with the theater bug and is thrilled to return to the Providence Players stage where she made her acting debut in 2011 playing a number of roles in It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Since that debut, Charlene has not gotten off the stage much. She was recently seen as Helen in the British Players production of Bedside Manners. This past holiday season, she appeared, as Mrs. Fred, the laundress, and Mrs. Fezziwig in PPF’s production of A Christmas Carol . And, in less than four years, Charlene has performed in five additional productions including Little Theater of Alexandria’s Avenue Q and Funny Money . Potomac Theater Company’s Blithe Spirit and Murder on the Nile and Castaways Repertory Theatre’s version of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play . Charlene also works with Broadway Barks and Braille Tails. These wonderful organizations are dedicated to the plight of homeless animals and increasing Braille literacy among the visually impaired.
ANDRA WHITT (Claire Ganz)
Rumor has it Andra Whitt is looking for redemption. Andra has acted, crewed, stage managed, propped, and board membered for PPF in the past three years since first joining PPF for our 2011 production of Auntie Mame. This talented and versatile actress made us cry with her riveting performance as Terry Glimmer in PPF’s Side Man and turned around and made us laugh as Essie in You Can’t Take It With You. She is particularly excited to do Rumors because when she was a senior in high school, she was cast as Cookie in her school’s production of Rumors, but was strongly persuaded to drop out and work on a math research project instead. She reluctantly obeyed, but ever since then, she has pined to fill the void in her soul that was left for abandoning the right side of her brain for the left side. This spring she finds redemption.
DON MYERS (Lenny Ganz)
Rumor has it that Don has made tons of people laugh doing a ridiculous amount of improv and standup comedy in Los Angeles and New York City. Recently transplanted to the DC area, Don has appeared as Simon in Our Town, Grumio in Taming of Shrew, Virgil in Bus Stop, and Jason in Romantic Comedy, among others. He studied at Pierce College (LA), Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. This is his debut production with PPF.
BETH HUGHES-BROWN (Cookie Cusack)
It is no rumor that Beth Hughes-Brown has been making PPF audiences laugh both as an actress and as a director for 15 years. You may have seen her in Harvey or Steel Magnolias, or as a lush in more than one show… she garnered a WATCH nomination for her cameo performance in Big Tree Falls… Her other PPF acting gigs and giggles include George Washington Slept Here, Heaven Can Wait, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Good Help Is So Hard to Murder, Waiting in the Wings and You Can’t Take It With You. Rumor has it she’s also done some directing for the Players (Moon over Buffalo, Sleuth, Is He Dead?, Witness for the Prosecution, Cash on Delivery, Arsenic and Old Lace, Lend Me A Tenor among others). As a director, her productions have garnered numerous WATCH nominations and awards. She is married to Tim the Sultry, mother to Katie the Entrancing and Annie the Prodigious. By day, she is a government wonk.
CRAIG GEOFFRION (Ernie Cusack)
Rumor has it that this is Craig’s 12th year with the Providence Players. He has most recently been seen as “Chicago” in Is He Dead? and “Kolenkov”, the Russian ballet instructor in You Can’t Take It With You and it is no rumor that Craig has entertained PPF audiences for more than a decade with outstanding performances in Side Man, Harvey, Rough Crossing, George Washington Slept Here, Cash on Delivery and The Good Doctor among others.Craig has won two WATCH awards, one for his set painting for Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and the other for his cameo appearance as Beverly Carlton in The Man Who Came to Dinner. Back stage, Craig is an obsessive crossword puzzle doer.
ROXANNE WAITE (Cassie Cooper)
Rumor has it that Roxanne has acted all across America having done shows in Maryland, New York, Hawaii and most recently Tennessee. She is making her Providence Players debut and her triumphant return to the Virgina stage with this production. This is Roxanne’s second time doing Rumors (having actually performed in the show Andra had to quit) Roxanne’s real life husband is in the Army and they recently moved back to the area where she grew up and she is excited to get involved in a local community theater.
ZELL MURPHY (Glenn Cooper)
Rumor has it that Zell is very excited to be back on stage after twenty or so years and extremely happy it’s with the Providence Players. His previous on stage work has included Lion in Winter, Dracula,Brighton Beach Memoirs,No Sex Please We’re British,and Diary of Anne Frank. More recently, Zell has been found backstage, stage managing or assistant stage manager, for a number of local productions: Rainmaker(MCT), Rabbit Hole(LTA), Witness for the Prosecution(LTA), Medea(PCP), Cantorial(LTA), and 33 Variations(LTA). Zell’s a DC native, having found his way back after time in Charlottesville and New England. During the day, Zell manages the finances of a cable telecommunications association and at night, when not in the theater, is teaching himself Spanish, very, very slowly.
Eric Jones (Officer Welch)
Eric is making his Providence players debut and rumor has it that this production is a mere stepping stone to Los Angeles for this talented and funny actor. Born and raised in Brooklyn New York, Eric, grew up with a passion for the entertainment world. Shortly After moving to Virginia at age 18, he attended Old Dominion University where he studied Theatre. He has appeared in various ODU Productions such as Mary Anning: Girl Fossil Hunter, Idiots Karamazov, Top dog/Underdog, and Midsummer Night’s Dream. While Eric plans to make a move to LA in the near future to pursue a career in film acting, he is thrilled to be part of this production, his first non-collegiate stage role. Outside the theatre, Eric writes and records music
Lauren Sullivan (Officer Pudney)
Rumor has it this is not really Lauren’s PPF stage debut. Lauren first got involved with PPF last season working back stage on Dinner with Friends and Is He Dead? She continued her invaluable backstage work with last fall’s Little Shop of Horrors where, in addition to her crew work, she appeared on stage, in full body suit and mask as one of three “root dancers”, her true stage debut. Most recently, she was part of the running crew for The House of Blue Leaves. Lauren is thrilled to be making her first recognizable PPF stage debut in Rumors.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES
Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7:30 PM: May 30, 31, June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14
Our patrons often ask, “why don’t you do some Neil Simon”…Well, we will! And we have! As we get ready to put Rumorson stage on May 30th, take a look back at our first Neil Simon production, The Good Doctor, our last production prior to our move to the James Lee Community Center Theater ten years ago next month! Our longer term patrons will remember this well staged production, directed by Beth and David Whitehead.
Tim Brown, Larry Mandel, Susan Kaplan and Barbara Gertzog in the 2004 PPF Production of “The Good Doctor’. PPF’s “other” Neil Simon Comedy.
As a way of nurturing future theater artists and recognizing the contribution graduating high school seniors have made to the arts community in our region, PPF has established a scholarship program that provides scholarships to college-bound students from area high schools. Scholarships are limited each year.
We anticipate awarding three scholarships, each of $1500, to 2014 graduating seniors with a demonstrated commitment to theater arts who have been accepted to a U.S. accredited college or university or conservatory program with an intent to further contribute to theater arts. Eligible graduating seniors must (1) reside within the school boundaries of Annandale, Fairfax, Falls Church, George Mason, J.E.B. Stuart, Marshall, Woodson or Yorktown highschools OR (2) have been a member of PPF for at least one year. It is not required that applicants to be committed to a theater arts major in college, only that they plan on continuing their involvement and contribution to theater arts in the future.
Applications must be completed and emailed to providenceplayers@cox.net no later than April 30, 2014.
Supplementary materials, including letters of recommendation, listed on the application form must be mailed to PPF at the address shown on the PPF application form.
PPF must receive these supplementary materials by April 30, 2014.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by PPF. The committee will consist of community representatives, including members of the arts community. The criteria for the awards shall be as follows:
40% based on the applicant’s past involvement in theater arts and contributions made to theater arts;
10% based on the applicant’s contribution to Providence Players of Fairfax (if any); and
50% based on the applicant’s potential to further contribute to theater arts.
Decisions on the scholarship awards will be announced by June 1, 2014.
Patrick David, Smitty Connolly and Andra Whitt in the PPF Production of Auntie Mame
Rumor has it: Rumors cast members Patrick David and Andra Whitt have shared the PPF stage in a past production. Shown here with Smitty Connolly (center) as Mother Burnside, Patrick and Andra played Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside and Sally Cato McDougal in the PPF 2011 production of Auntie Mame directed by Jayne L. Victor. Patrick and Andra will be on stage together again in Rumors. Jayne will be doing set decoration (with Ali Zaikouk) for Rumors. Auntie Mame was one of PPF’s best attended productions….Rumor has is, so will Rumors be! Order Tickets today!
Rumors opens at the James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale RD Falls Church 22042 on May 30th for a three week run. Tickets are on sale now here.
PPF is running the occasional Two for Tuesday Quiz Series leading up to our opening of Rumors on May 30th – Enjoy the challenge!
Two Free Tickets to Rumors will go to the first person to post the most complete set of answers either here on the website (post in the comment section to this news item) or in our PPF Facebook Group(join if you are not a member of the group). Craig Geoffrion is NOT eligible to win!
The Providence Players’ Craig Geoffrion
Here is “Two for Tuesday” Quiz #2 – Featuring Craig Geoffrion
Take a look at the two photo montages below
Answer the questions that follow (there are some hints). All the answers can be found on the website.
Post your answers here on the website or in our Facebook Group in the pinned post for today (join us on our Facebook Group if you are not already a member)
The earliest, most complete responses, posted either here or on the Facebook group will win two free tickets to Rumors Opening Night Friday May 30, 2014
Two for Tuesday Montage 1
Two for Tuesday Montage 2
From Montage 1
1. Photo 1A and 1B – Name the show title of this PPF past production – Hint: Last production at Frost Middle School before the move to James Lee. Directed by Beth and David Whitehead. Still need more help – see the PPF Production History Page.
2. Photo 2 – Name the production directed by Tina Thronson.
3. Photo 2 – What Rumors cast member made his PPF debut in this production? Hint: He is shown in the photo. Another hint: Read This
3. Photo 3 – Craig is shown here with Betsy Hansen in last spring’s production of Is He Dead?Who directed the show and what role are they performing in Rumors? Hint: Read This
From Montage 2
4. Photo 4 – Shown here with Barbara Gertzog – Name the play and the role for which Craig won a 2004 WATCH Award. Hint: See our Awards Page
5. Photo 5 – Craig won a WATCH award in 2007 associated with the set of this play. What play and what WATCH award? (see the hint for #4 if you need it!)
6. Photo 6A and 6B – Name the production, directed by David Whitehead, produced by PPF in 2008. (Check Our Production History Page)
7. Photo 7 – Name the actor furthest left in the picture. He has been nominated for and won many WATCH awards. He is designing the set for Rumors.
8. Photo 8 – Name this 2008 production, Directed by Chip Gertzog, and the actress Craig is playing opposite. Hint: The Actress is making her directorial debut with PPF for Rumors?
All the answers are glean-able here on the website. Post you answers either in the comments section to this post here on the website or in the PPF Facebook group in the comments section of the pinned post.
L to R: Beth Hughes-Brown, Liz Mykietyn, Courtney Fontaine, Joyce Montgomery, Beth Whitehead and Amy Baska in the Spring 2008 PPF Production of Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias”
Rumor has it: Rumors Director Liz Mykietyn, and Rumors cast memberBeth Hughes-Brown (Cookie Cusack) shared the stage, once again, in PPF’s 2008 production of Steel Magnolias, directed by Tina Hodge Thronson. Steel Magnolias, our 14th production at the James Lee Community Center Theater, was one of the best attended shows in PPF history. Rumor has it, Rumors might share that distinction with “Steel”.
Rumors opens at the James Lee Community Center Theater, 2855 Annandale RD Falls Church 22042 on May 30th for a three week run. Tickets are on sale now here.
Liz Mykietyn, Barbara Gertzog, Susan Kaplan, Beth Hughes-Brown and Beth Doyle at The James Lee Community Center Theater, 2007
Rumor has it:RumorsDirector Liz Mykietyn, Assistant Director Susan Kaplan, and Rumors’ Cookie Cusack Beth Hughes-Brown have shared some moments on stage. Shown here with Barbara Gertzog and Beth Doyle, in PPF’s 2007 production of “Good Help Is So Hard to Murder”
Take a few minutes and browse our production pages for PPF’s award winning production of The Women – Then stop by “the store” and pickup tickets to Rumors
In October of 2005, “Rumors” Director Liz Mykietyn (center with Betsy Bates Left and Sara Bennett right) made her acting debut with the Providence Players as Edith Potter in 2005’s “The Women”. She has been making PPF audiences laugh ever since
With the opening of “Rumors” just seven weeks away, marking our 10th season at the James Lee Community Center Theater, and Liz Mykietyn’s directorial debut with PPF, we plan on celebrating those ten years with occasional “throw back” looks at past PPF productions at James Lee. It seems only fitting to jump back to 2005 at James Lee, where we first got to know Liz as she brought audiences to stitches as the self absorbed and irreverent Edith Potter in the 1936 Clare Booth Luce comedy The Women.Liz’s PPF acting debut made ’em laugh in The Women and on stage in many other PPF favorites over the years, and she will make you laugh as our Director for Rumors. Tickets are already available online here.
Barbara Gertzog directed the 2005 production of The Women that featured a cast of 35 beautiful and terrific women in Luce’s satirical comic masterpiece (her only play). Audiences loved The Women and its outstanding cast. The play was a visual and literary feast. It garnered our first Ruby Griffith award and a WATCH nomination for best costumes for the show’s costumers, Susan Devine and Donna Naybor. Tina Thronson played our lead in that production and as you look back over the cast and production team photos you will see many fine actresses who have graced the PPF stage over the years.
Take a few minutes and browse our production pages for PPF’s award winning production of The Women…just click here or on the show’s cats eye logo below and you will be transported back to 2005. You will also find some campy PPF online and print memorabilia from those days. A lot has changed over the years but one thing remains constant: PPF’s dedication to bringing you entertaining, affordable, quality theater while building community through the theater arts.
When your done browsing, why not pop by our Online Tickets page and order you tickets to Rumors – Opens May 30th at James Lee.
Watch the website for more “throw back” looks at past PPF productions at James Lee as we celebrate 10 years at The James Lee Community Center Theater.
