Don't Believe Everything You Hear: Neil Simon's Rumors Takes the Stage

Rumors -- the comedy that pushed one of Broadway's greatest playwrights to his limits when it premiered in 1988 -- opened this past weekend at Vero Beach Theatre Guild and continues through September 21, bringing to Vero the show that Simon himself called his "most difficult play."

This no-holds-barred comedy centers on a dinner party gone catastrophically wrong: an anniversary celebration where the host is missing, his wife disappears, and every frantic attempt to cover up the truth only deepens the confusion.

What makes Rumors amazing is its theatrical style—it's a farce, a specific type of comedy built on rapid-fire misunderstandings, breakneck pacing, and escalating silliness with doors slamming, secrets piling up, and characters racing around in increasingly desperate situations.

This marked Simon's very first venture into farce, requiring split-second timing and relentless energy from every performer.

The play creates striking contrast with its elegant setting—guests in formal evening wear amid wild antics. Performed without intermission to maintain total momentum, Rumors conquered Broadway for over 500 performances.

Beyond the laughs, Simon's script explores how rumors—true or false—can destroy relationships, a theme as relevant today as ever.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.