Welcome to live theater. There’s nothing quite like art unfolding in front of you in real time where you can experience the sweat, the mistakes, the mishaps and miracles. And welcome, too, to 1987—a world where “mobile phones” were rare and weighed over two pounds, screens weren’t yet glued to our hands, and people actually gathered in living rooms to talk. Or, in this case a living room in Sneden’s Landing, a burb just outside of New York City, where wild misunderstandings are about to take place.
Rumors is my third production here at Siena. My first two were Frankenstein—part of Siena’s campus-wide celebration honoring the 200th anniversary of Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking novel—and Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. After those two heavy hitters, I longed to direct a comedy. To have the opportunity to explore the rhythm, precision, and physicality that make a farce sing has been a delight. There’s a special kind of magic that happens when not just actors, but humans of all ages, throw themselves fully into the ridiculous and the sincere at the same time. Coming to rehearsals over the past two months and playing with these wonderfully talented students has been the joy of my day.
I could dig deep and claim that Rumors is apropos for our time—that this play reminds us how misinformation, assumptions, and preconceived notions can distort reality and tie us into knots. And sure, that’s in there somewhere. But honestly, why bother? What Rumors truly offers is lightening-speed, goofy fun—something I believe is always timely, and always needed.
So please, let these actors and words do their work. May tonight be as much of a diversion and tonic for you, as this process has been for us.
-Tom Truss, Director
