Auditions

RUMORS

Written by Neil Simon

Directed by MarNae Taylor

Charley, the deputy mayor of New York, and his wife Myra Brock, on the evening of their tenth wedding anniversary, host an elegant dinner party which goes hysterically wrong. Four couples arrive expecting a night of sophistication—only to discover the host has had a terrible mishap and his wife is missing. Desperate to cover up the scandal, they spin wilder and wilder stories, turning confusion into chaos as rumors fly faster than champagne corks. With a nicotine fit, a whiplash, misguided jealousy, a reoccurring back spasm, comedy ensues. Brimming with razor-sharp wit, slapstick mishaps, and Simon’s trademark charm, Rumors is a laugh-out-loud comedy that proves the truth may be the funniest thing of all.

AUDITION DATES:

Monday, April 27, 6:30-8:30pm, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ben Lomond OR

Tuesday, April 28, 6:30-8:30pm, Santa Cruz Actors’ Theatre, Santa Cruz

Please fill out the audition form in advance. Attend either day and bring your theatrical resume (if you have one). Those new to MCT or the director should be prepared with a 1-2 minute comedic monologue. Following monologues, we will do readings, which are considered part of the audition process.

  • 6:30-7:00: Monologues
  • 7:00-8:30: Readings from the script

CALL BACKS:

Thursday, April 30, 6:30-9:00 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ben Lomond

Callbacks are by invitation only.

PERFORMANCE DATES:

September 18-October 11, 2026

Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Performances are at Park Hall

Rehearsals tentatively begin Monday, August 3, 2026.

ROLES AVAILABLE: 

  • KEN GORMAN – (Male, 30-50’s) A well-to-do lawyer. Wealthy, but by no means pretentious. Takes charge of the situation. Married to Chris. Halfway through the show, a gunshot causes his temporary deafness. 
  • CHRIS GORMAN – (Female, 30-50’s) Another lawyer, married to Ken. Beautiful, easily flustered. Frantically tries to maintain normalcy at the party. Has recently quit smoking, which drives her to drink a bit more. 
  • LENNY GANZ (Male, 30-50’s) A wealthy accountant, distraught over the recent destruction of his new car. Starts the show with an extreme case of whiplash. Intolerant of the gossipy lifestyle that he is often involved in. 
  • CLAIRE GANZ – – (Female, 30-50’s) Lenny’s wife. Very concerned with appearances (hers and others’). Starts the play with a swollen lip. Likes to gossip. 
  • ERNIE CUSACK – (Male, Early 50’s-60’s) A psychiatrist. Affable, smokes a pipe. Loves his wife very much. Tries to be as helpful as possible cooking the evening’s dinner. 
  • COOKIE CUSACK – (Female, 40’s-50’s) Has her own cooking show. Suffers from extreme back spasms. Loves her husband very much. A bit absent-minded at times. 
  • GLENN COOPER – (Male, 30-40) A handsome man running for State Senate. Worried about his own reputation. Struggles with placating his wife, who is convinced he is having an affair (which he may or may not be). 
  • CASSIE COOPER – (Female, late 20’s-early 30’s) Glenn’s beautiful wife. Obsesses over her husband’s relationships with other women. Quick to anger. Must rub her quartz crystal to calm herself down. 
  • OFFICER WELCH (M/F, 30-50) A city police officer having a rough night. Does not tolerate lying. Sees through the “classy” façade that these high-society types put up. 
  • OFFICER PUDNEY (M/F, 20-30) Welch’s partner. A strong but silent type. 

Questions: Please email slvdaria24@gmail.com