Word is, it's fast and fun

Students from Dundee-Crown High School will spread "Rumors" beginning Friday night, with the opening of Neil Simon's farcical look at upper-crust America.

Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the school's auditorium.

Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

The play, which Simon wrote in 1998, marks the directorial debut of senior Earl Rigsby 17, and junior Trevor Eischen, 17.

Rigsby, who is usually found on stage rather than in a behind-the-scenes role, said the duo selected the play for its humorous elements.

"We liked how it was comedy but was also almost a murder-mystery," said Rigsby, who was controlling light and sound effects during Monday's first full dress rehearsal in the school's auditorium.

"It will entertain the audience in a comical way."

The play centers on an unusual dinner party celebrating the 10th wedding anniversary of an upper-class New York couple.

Rigsby said he studied Simon's "The Odd Couple" in his sophomore English class and considers the playwright "brilliant."

"The fact that he has written so many great plays is amazing," Rigsby said.

Junior John Heavey, 16, who plays the role of Glenn Cooper, one of the guests at the bizarre event, said though he is nervous since the cast and crew had just five weeks to rehearse, he is looking forward to opening night.

"It's going to be an all-around great play," Heavey said. "It is comical and humorous, which I think everyone enjoys. And Trevor and Earl are excellent directors who are very dedicated to it. Everyone has invested a lot of time into it."

Rigsby, who appeared as Major Freddie in the fall production of "Good," called the schedule nerve-wracking.

"It was very short," Rigsby said. "I have never heard of a play being produced here in such a short amount of time. There's a lot of pressure, but it is fun."

It is also fun to take on a different role than he is usually cast in, Rigsby said.

"I like the thrill of being on stage in front of people," Rigsby said. "This is a change of pace. You have to please the audience in a less direct way, you have to please them through the actors. If you can't do that, then it is nerve-wracking."

The play features more than a dozen juniors and seniors, both on stage and in the wings.

Since it is such a small cast, Rigsby said every role is considered a lead.

The students have worked extensively with English teacher Helen Hoffman and music teacher John Gorman, among others.

"They have helped us out a lot and we appreciate what they have done for us," Rigsby said.

If you go

Dundee-Crown High School students present Neil Simon's "Rumors".

• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

• Where: Dundee-Crown High School auditorium, 1 Charger Country, Carpentersville

• Price: Tickets are $5 and available at the door

• Call: The Dundee-Crown English department at (847) 426-1438