Are you looking for a free date night?
Then check out the opening night of Oxford High School’s fall play ‘Rumors? on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at Performing Arts Center.
All patrons will get in for free when they bring in five non-perishable food items for Oxford/Orion FISH.
As guests begin arriving for a dinner party, the host and hostess are nowhere to be found and the rumor mill begins churning in Playwright Neil Simon’s ‘Rumors.? As more guests arrive, the more twisted the rumors become as certain facts remain hidden and misunderstandings ensue.
‘It really is the comedy of misunderstanding,? said Director Krista Price, who’s having lots of fun overseeing this comedic play.
‘People always think that comedy is easier than drama. That is not true at all. Comedy is much more difficult than drama to do well,? she said. ‘Characters in comedy are really easy to play as a caricature rather than a real person, so finding that balance between character and the comedy of the character (can be difficult).?
It’s a new challenge and the student-actors have definitely stepped up their game.
‘We have a lot of seniors, but we’ve also had some amazing freshmen come out this year and so this is really great marriage between the underclassmen and the upperclassmen,? Price added. ‘They’ve done a really great job and have worked really, really hard.?
Senior Chase Donaldson said she really enjoys playing her character Chris Gorman.
‘She is super uptight and she worries more than she needs to,? explained Donaldson. ‘She’s a lawyer, but she only draws up contracts.?
Senior Chase Moenart plays Donaldson’s husband Ken Gorman, who’s also a lawyer.
‘He’s a pretty cool-headed guy (and) well- spoken. He’s very straight forward and very confident in (what) he does all the time,? he said. ‘Even though he is a well-spoken character (and) very confident person, he does get stressed out to the point where he does snap once or twice.?
This is Moenart’s first time taking the stage.
‘To me, this is really fun and I am really enjoying my experience. Everybody in the play is really great and their characters are as great,? he said. ‘I feel the play really moves smoothly.?
Tickets for the Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 shows can be purchased by calling the box office at (248) 969-5321.
Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for adults and free for Oxford students with a paying parent.
‘It’s more of a high school and beyond type comedy,? Price said. ‘Not to say that kids couldn’t enjoy it, but there is some content not intended for kids.?