PERFORMANCE DATES SET FOR 'RUMORS'

(KINGSVILLE, October 8, 1996) - Theatre-goers who take to heart the phrase, "laughter is the best medicine," may want to mark their calendars for the upcoming Texas A&M University-Kingsville production of "Rumors," a Neil Simon comedy that offers a hilarious look at couple relationships.

Directed by A&M-Kingsville Communications and Theatre Arts Professor Dr. Patrick Faherty, the play is centered around five couples who get together in the townhouse of a deputy mayor of NewYork City to celebrate a wedding anniversary.

The evening goes awry when it is revealed that the host has shot himself in the head (only a flesh wound) and his wife is missing. The plot gets even more twisted as other guests arrive and nobody can remember who has been told what about whom.

Performances are slated for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 16, 18 and 21; 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the Little Theatre. Admission is $3.

Cast members include Nora S. Moreno and Frank Ramirez of Corpus Christi, Chris Bogott of Houston, Stephanie L. Maher of Kingsville, Jerel Perez of Beeville, J.V. Salinas of Falfurrias, Lupita Sauceda of Donna, David Olvera of San Benito, Valerie Fernandez of Riviera and Leah Davidson of Alice.

Playwright Neil Simon has had countless plays performed on Broadway since the early 1960s, according to Faherty. His early comedies, "The Odd Couple," "Come Blow Your Horn" and "Plaza Suite," remain popular today.

Faherty is beginning his second year as an instructor in the A&M-Kingsville Department of Communications and Theatre Arts. Prior to his appointment at A&M-Kingsville, Dr. Faherty worked as a graduate student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he received his doctorate in August 1995 and at the Huron Playhouse in Ohio where he worked as both a director and as an actor. "rumors" is the fourth play he has directed at A&M-Kingsville.

-TAMUK-
-Mary McAdam