Jeffrey Biddle, Maddie Rea, Louis Schilling, Karla Acosta Ormond, and Kelly Gregg Rubingh Photo by Elaine Yee

Debuted in 1988, Rumors departed from Simon's bedrock. He had written relationship comedies of many sorts with a focus on a clutch of well-defined principal characters and usually of the middle class. This play involves an ensemble of ten in a wealthy suburb and was Simon's first attempt at farce, embracing ridiculous situations demanding over-the-top acting.

Pacifica Spindrift Players, a community theater company, has chosen well. The play suits the cast which delivers an entertaining product, extracting humor at almost every turn. For a small company, Spindrift's stage is very large. All of the action occurs in the living room of a large house, and Alexis Orth's white with black set is striking and effective.

To celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary, Charley and Myra are throwing a party with four other couples at their home. All are part of the Porsche/BMW-driving, swanky tennis club belonging set of rich professionals: analysts, doctors, lawyers, and such. The playwright needles the snobbish and conspicuous lifestyle of this class of people, as every reference to past events they've attended is a fundraiser for a charity. Making the farce seem sillier, the guests are dressed to the nines, with women bejeweled in party gowns and men in formal wear.

Ken and Chris are the first arrivals and have to let themselves in. Soon they hear a gunshot, and Ken runs to the master bedroom to find Charley bleeding from a bullet through his ear lobe, which Ken assumes was a suicide attempt. Myra is nowhere to be found, and the first rumor to be mentioned is that she's having an affair. Of course, we know that covering up an incident often creates more complications than facing up to the truth. Ken's instinct is to protect Charley, and he and Chris first try to hide what has happened from the other guests.

In the meantime, another gunshot has gone off near Ken's ear, after which he can hear almost nothing. Many of the funniest sequences involve Ken's mishearing what is being said. Jeffrey Biddle, as Ken, is at his best when reacting according to what Ken thinks he hs heard. Each time, he gives a eureka look and gesticulates with certainty, but he is always wrong.

Relationship issues among the couples arise calamities ensue involving hives, burnt fingers, objects dropped in a toilet, and more. Gradually, all of the guests join the needless conspiracy, which becomes more complex and involves the police. Lenny, played by Thuan Lieu, tries to explain to the police how innocent everything is with a long, convoluted story that gives the appearance of being impromptu.

Director Paul Smith keeps the action moving, and while the plot is silly as expected in a farce, it is a fun diversion. Acting is generally fine but uneven as farce can often seem forced. The most natural and convincing performance seems to be Karla Acosta Ormond as Claire, Lenny's wife. All of the creative elements operate smoothly and contribute to a pleasing production.

Rumors runs through September 21, 2025, at Pacifica Spindrift Players, 1050 Crespi Drive, Pacifica CA. For tickets and information please visit www.pacificaspindriftplayers.org.