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Rumors swarm around DramaTech By Leila Whitman Special to the 'Nique ATLANTA November 6, 1998
 DramaTech presents Neil Simon's Rumors this quarter in the Dean Dull Theatre. One of Neil Simon's most hilarious plays, it shows the rich coping with their ever demanding lives as suburbanites in New York. For a few short hours we are thrust into a world of fancy homes, prestigious tennis clubs, and BMWs. For the gossiping idle rich, scandal is never far off.
As the lights go up, we find ourselves sitting inside a richly decorated home with matching couches and a stairway leading to the balcony of the second floor. However, all is not well in New York. From the outset, a woman comes into the scene looking nervous and frantic. The action of the comedy starts here and keeps right on going until the final twist of the show.
The all-star cast contains some old DramaTech favorites, but there are new faces making a strong debut. The cast includes Gene Hullender, Kevin Donnelly, Molly Lipscomb, Carletha Jones, Siddharth Manay, Elizabeth Rocco, J. Austin Hijar, Kelly Mitchell, Angelo Maniquis, and Dipika Jain. Each character has a distinct personality, and the mix creates the perfect formula for laughter. A wide array of occupations are represented including a lawyer, a pyschiatrist, a woman with her own cooking show, and a political official. Each person's "talents" (quirks along with their respective occupations) come into use as they struggle with the increasing crisis and strange turn of events.
DramaTech does an incredible job of paying attention to details. The glasses, decanters, lamps, flowers, and tablecloths are all meticulously placed. The painting job is also impressive with a elegant marbling effect produced on the floor. As the actors make their entrances in their tuxedos and dresses, we find ourselves at the party with them fully immersed in their problems and crisis. The sound effects, which includes a flushing toilet as well as gunshots, all add to the realism and believability of the events unfolding all around.
Rumors does contain some strong language though . The image of the pristine and proper rich elite repeatedly uttering "shit, shit, shit, shit" adds a touch of humor and another dimension of reality. The humor is sharp and quick so you have to pay attention to catch everything. Better yet just relax, enjoy yourself, and laugh your worries away.
DramaTech's production of Rumors by Neil Simon opens tonight. Performances are on November 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 1998 at 8:00 p.m. in the Dean Dull Theatre. Reservations are recommended. On November 13, 14, 20, and 21, DramaTech Theatre will present a special 'late-night' performance of David Ives' All in the Timing after the conclusion of Rumors.
Tickets: $4 students, $6 GT faculty/staff, $8 general public. For reservations, call 894-2745.
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Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board
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