Covina Center for the Performing Arts

Rumors by Neil Simon

May 13 thru June 12, 2011

Notes from the Director

FRANK MINANO

Neil Simon is America's best-known living playwright and possibly the most financially successful dramatist of all time. Beginning with Come Blow Your Horn in 1961, Simon has written a long succession of Broadway hit comedies which have earned him huge audiences and numerous prizes, including four Tony Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. In 1966, Simon had four plays running simultaneously on Broadway, the only author in modern times to accomplish such a feat. Rumors, Simon’s 23rd play, which has been called ‘the first no-holds-barred farce of his career’, opened in New York in 1988 at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 531 performances, closing in 1990. The production garnered a Tony Award in the Best Performance by Featured Actress in A Play category for Christine Baranski.

Rumors in general tell us that when ‘ both the interest in an event and its ambiguity are great’ then rumors are common when ‘the demand for news is greater than the supply’. Rumors multiply when a group of people share the need to act but are reluctant to do so until the situation can be better defined. All of these conditions hold true during the course of Neil Simon’s play. Everyone on stage desperately wants to know what happened … and it is from here that the farce, or ridiculous, begins. It is important to remember that this is PRE INTERNET and for stories to stay out of the media for certain celebrities or public figures was critical.

The ingredients needed for a successful farce: impeccable timing, great pacing, lots of energy, and an accomplished ensemble of actors who can act and improvise. It has been a true pleasure working with these wonderful actors: Chuck, Tannis, Candida, Chris, Steve, Rosemary, Jill, Hisato, Peter, and Jennifer!

A VERY special thanks to Angelo Collado and the CCPA Artistic Board for allowing me to ‘play’ in this wonderful venue. I look forward to the next project. In the meantime, on behalf of the cast and crew – ENJOY!

The Cast
In Order of Appearance

 Patrick McMahon performs the role of Glenn Cooper on June 3, 4, 5.

* Appear courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The Production Staff

About the Artists

Tony Colangelo (Officer Welch) is marking his 52nd play. He began performing at age 12, starting a Latin Jazz combo with some friends in Puerto Rico, playing at major hotels. At 15 he became a professional magician; Houdini was his Brando. He specialized in sleight of hand and stage illusions and escapes. At 18, he sang Jazz in his second band. Peter also has studied and performed stand-up and skit comedy on the East Coast and has studied and performed musical theatre for 10 years, having studied in drama with Jose Quintero and Edward Albee. At Cal State University he trained in theatre/cinema and teaches in different areas of theatre and film. Peter is VERY HAPPY/PROUD to be a part of the CCPA family and this fine production and hopes to do more shows here.

Chuck Franklin (Ken Gorman) has performed in many Los Angeles-area productions from Long Beach to Hollywood to Santa Clarita, and he is pleased now to be making his debut at CCPA. Stage credits include Beyond Therapy; Hedda Gabler; Twelve Angry Men; The Nerd; The Glass Menagerie; and Los Angeles Sunrise Youth Theatre’s original production, In a Room Somewhere. Also well-versed in classical theatre, Chuck has performed in productions of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Film and television credits include The Funk Parlor; Duty Dating; Midnight Stories; and the Showtime original movie, Love, Cheat, and Steal. Chuck would like to dedicate this performance to his acting coach, MK Lewis, who says, “comedy is a train that runs on the tracks of speed and energy”. Also he thanks Director Frank Minano and Producer Angelo Collado for entrusting him with performing on this lovely “speeding train”, Neil Simon’s Rumors. Chuck is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA).

Jill B. Gerber (Cassie) is excited to be playing Cassie in this production of Rumors. She was seen most recently on stage here in It’s a Wonderful Life, Oliver, and Steel Magnolias. Other recent local production credits include Blithe Spirit and You Can’t Take it With You with Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT) where she can currently be seen in their production of Bus Stop. When not on stage, Ms. Gerber is the Performing Arts teacher and director at a local high school and is the Program Director for the CCPA’s Young Performers’ Institute. Jill is grateful for the opportunity to practice what she teaches!

Rosemary Gore (Cookie Cusak) is originally from North Carolina but relocated to New York City where she worked in commercials (Spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline), independent films (Oil & Water and Fear of Dark, with distributions in all major outlets), and Off-Broadway including The Actor’s Studio. Recently she moved to Los Angeles and starred in the feature, Oak Hill, opposite Sally Kirkland (Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe winner) which screened at La Femme Film Festival. Rosemary is also a jazz singer and is performing currently with the musical group, Martini Mondays. Rosemary would like to thank her husband, Mark, for his love and continuous support! She is represented by The Agency and Venture IAB and is a member of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Actors’ Equity Association (AEA).

Tannis Hanson (Chris Gorman) is excited to be doing her first production with CCPA. She has been a member of the Actors Co-Op in Hollywood since 2005. Favorite roles include Mary Warren in The Crucible; Wanda in The Baby Dance; the sassy cow, Milky White, in Into the Woods; and Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest. Tannis received her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting from California State University, Long Beach. Other credits include The Philadelphia Story (Liz Imbrie); The Last Of The Red Hot Lovers (Bobby Michelle); Quilters; The Diary Of Anne Frank (Anne); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia); As You Like It (Phoebe); and Peter Pan (Peter). Film/TV credits include Unsolved Mysteries, Let Me Count The Ways, and SLAP (supporting). Tannis can also be seen in a number of national commercials: Dairy Queen, La Quinta Hotels, Chevy, and Time Warner Cable. Check out Mugg’s Movers, a web dramedy that launched in March! Proud to be a member of Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

Steve Julian (Ernie Cusak) is appearing simultaneously as Carl in Bus Stop at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont. Recent acting credits include You Can’t Take It With You at the Candlelight; Death Troupe (with Fred Willard) and A Christmas Carol at the Grove Theatre in Upland; and Streetlamp Studio’s Crooked Road. Recent directing credits include The Bellflower Sessions, a staged reading at the Hayworth in Los Angeles; and No. Saints Lane for Coeurage Theatre Company. Steve writes about theater at www.stevejulian.com and for LA Stage Times and is the local Morning Edition host on 89.3 KPCC. He recently co-founded “Hear Me Read”, a local nonprofit that produces full cast recordings of popular children’s literature and puts the books and audio into the hands – and ears – of children to improve literacy. He lives in Los Angeles with Chef Felicia, three doxies, and a freeway cat named Royo.

Hisato Masuyama (Glenn Cooper) is originally from Tokyo, Japan, and is extremely happy to make his debut at CCPA for one of his rare appearances in a straight comedy. Recently he appeared as Mary Sunshine in the acclaimed Japan national tour revival of Chicago, following his successes in Tommy and in Kopit's Phantom (Alain Cholet). In between, he was seen regionally in Annie, Dreamgirls, The Most Happy Fella, Beauty And The Beast, Squabbles, The King And I, and others. Other credits include tours of Pacific Overtures with Mako, Mame with Juliet Prowse, and 42nd Street with Mariette Hartley. Hisato is also an operatic countertenor with numerous solo concert dates in Japan. He also translates and records demos for Disney and Sesame Street and most recently was a commentator in the PBS documentary about musical films, Hollywood Singing And Dancing: A Musical Treasure. Hisato thanks Todd, Brian, and Ocean for their undying support.

Patrick McMahon (Glenn Cooper) is delighted to debut on the CCPA stage. A graduate of Pomona College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, his favorite past roles include Algernon in The Importance of Being Ernest, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and much Shakespeare (including Bottom, Macbeth and Oedipus) and Count Dracula. He was most recently seen as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus at the Santa Paula Theatre Center and can be found every Saturday morning at the Glendale Center Theatre as Prince Charming in Cinderella which he wrote and directed. Patrick would like to thank his parents, his sister Katie and his beautiful, wonderful fiancée Tosca.

Candida Orosco (Claire Ganz) cannot believe her good fortune in being part of such a talented ensemble and is sooooooo excited to be working with director Frank Minano again (the first time was almost 20 years ago!). She has appeared in many shows over her 32 years in theatre including Urinetown, Company, Godspell, The Mikado, South Pacific, and just finished performing in CCPA's production of Anything Goes. Candida is an educator and staunch volunteer with many different organizations. She would like to thank Frank and Angelo for seeing beyond race and class and giving her this opportunity to have more fun than she deserves; Dave for taking care of Scout; Chris for saying it would be fun to see the mom on stage; and her brilliant, beautiful and favorite person/daughter, Alexandria, for always running lines and encouraging the mom to do Rumors even though her college graduation (USC) is opening night!!! Love you, Alibear!!

Jennifer Rubino (Officer Pudney) is thrilled to be making her CCPA debut! She has appeared in many productions through the Rancho Cucamonga Community Theatre (RCCT) program and has also performed with Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT). Favorite shows include Blithe Spirit (Edith); The Man Who Came to Dinner (June, RCCT) and Miss Preen (IVRT); A Christmas Carol (Christmas Past); The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (Lydian); Working (Roberta Victor); Cinderella (Portia); and Damn Yankees (Doris). Jennifer also has a recurring role as a 4th grade teacher in Rancho Cucamonga. She would like to thank Frank for such a great opportunity! “Much love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and Mark.”

Christopher Violette (Lenny Ganz) has appeared in the Discovery Channel series, Solved; in commercials for Adidas and Verizon; and in the popular videogame, Medal of Honor: Anaconda. Most recently, he played the sociopathic killer, Roat, in Wait Until Dark at the Westminster Theatre, and he is in production on the independent feature, Block. In his spare time, Christopher volunteers for the organization, The Art of Elysium, performing improv for children in hospitals throughout Los Angeles.

About the Staff

Frank Minano (Director) is thrilled to make his directing debut at CCPA. Directing credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Costa Mesa Playhouse), honored by the Daily Pilot as 2006 Best Community Theatre Production in Orange County. A veteran director and performer, Frank has directed over 50 productions in the last 25 years, including, to name a few: Steel Magnolias and Side by Side by Sondheim (Lewis Family Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate and Father of the Bride (IVRT at Candlelight Pavilion), and A Little Night Music and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Grove Theatre in Upland). As a performer, some of Frank's favorite roles include: Tony Esposito in The Most Happy Fella, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, and Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd. Frank is the Producing Artistic Director of Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT) and resides in La Verne with his wife and two daughters!

Angelo Collado (Producer / Set Designer) a CCPA veteran since 1992, has directed and produced several productions and also worn the hats of Choreographer, Set Designer / Builder, Lighting Designer, and “all round” technician. Directorial credits include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum; Grease; Oliver!; The Music Man; Guys and Dolls; Seven Brides; West Side Story; Kiss Me Kate; Gypsy; and Pirates. Angelo was a proud cast member of Ovation Award Winning Regional Theater productions of West Side Story; Guys and Dolls; and Seven Brides. Touring company credits include West Side Story; A Chorus Line; and Guys and Dolls. When not submerged in CCPA work, Angelo is an Internationally recognized Martial Artist as competitor and Instructor. With 32 years professional theater experience, he is also a professional dancer and performer as a member of Actors’ Equity Association. He has appeared with most of Southern California’s major theater companies, regional, and professional theaters around the US. Angelo is the Resident Producer / Technical Director for CCPA.

Brandon Hudrlik (Lighting Designer)

Andrew Graves (Sound Designer) is honored to be working on his seventh main stage production for CCPA. Currently he is pursuing a degree in Technical Theatre Design at the Cal Poly Pomona Theatre Department where he designed his first stage mainstage production. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support, and CCPA for the opportunity to work with them on these unique projects. Andrew looks forward to working with this production team again.