Alcove Dinner Theater opens 2026 with Neil Simon farce ‘Rumors’

The party is elegant, the guests are elite — and absolutely everything is going wrong.

"Rumors" kicks off with a bang — literally — sending audiences headfirst into a whirlwind of frantic cover-ups, overheard half-truths, and doors that never stay closed. What begins as a tasteful anniversary dinner quickly explodes into a deliciously chaotic comedy where nobody knows the full story … and everyone is desperately pretending they do.

“An elegant evening, a small accident, and a spectacular cascade of bad decisions.”

The Alcove Dinner Theater starts the new year with one of Neil Simon’s funniest plays, "Rumors," opening Jan. 31 and running through Feb. 28.

Set in Sneden’s Landing, New York, in 1990, "Rumors" follows four well-to-do couples arriving for a dinner party celebrating their friend’s 10th wedding anniversary — only to discover the host has apparently shot himself in the ear and his wife has vanished. Naturally, instead of calling the police, everyone panics. As the guests race around the house trying to protect their reputations, avoid scandal, and agree on a single believable lie, the evening spirals into utter mayhem filled with mistaken identities, outrageous explanations, and nonstop farcical confusion.

“We are excited to bring this classic comedy to the stage,” said director Bruce Jacklin. “'Rumors' is the perfect storm of fast-paced dialogue, ridiculous situations, and physical comedy. It’s the kind of show where the harder the characters try to fix things, the worse everything gets — and that’s where the laughs really start.”

The 10-member cast features Laura Miller, Steve Herbst, Maureen Browning, Bruce Jacklin, Serra Austin, Steve Jefferson, Patricia Olivier, Aaron Moreland, Thor Collard, and Jennifer Walters.

Stage management is by Jennifer Walters and Sarah Hammond. Sound and lighting design is by Ian Fraser Ernsberger, with Rodney Cheek serving as sound and lights operator. Set construction is by Bill Szuch and Mike Sears, with set design by Bruce Jacklin. Hair and makeup is by Ruth Frady. Poster design and graphics are by Carrie Haver, and the program is by Megan Evans.

Don’t miss this side-splitting production that offers audiences a much-needed break from the winter blues — and a reminder that things can always get worse … especially at a dinner party.

For reservations and meal selections, please visit alcoverestaurant.com.

This production is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older due to adult language and situations.