Theatre Northwest, the theatre company of Northwest Missouri State University will present “Rumors” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and 2 p.m. Nov. 12 in the Studio Theatre at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 660.562.1321 or at the box office up to one hour before show time. The play contains adult language and is not appropriate for young audiences.

“Rumors,” written by Neil Simon, is a comedy that entertains the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated.

“Rumors is a hilarious show,” the play’s director, Wendy Eloe, said. “It is one of my favorites.”

As “Rumors” begins, the Deputy Mayor has shot himself. Though his injuries are nowhere near fatal, his lawyer struggles to keep “the story” straight as other couples arrive to a dinner party and their host lies bleeding in the other room. Complications arise as guests enter with their own ridiculous personal issues, and worst of all, the police show up. Hijinks, mistaken identities, shenanigans and rumors ensue.

The New York Post's Clive Barnes opened his review with “Broadway has something to cheer about again,” and went on to praise Simon’s farce for being “light, frothy and fun. It is as significant as a cream puff and just about as nourishing. But beautifully baked and cunningly filled.”

“One of the best parts about this show is how funny it is,” Eloe said. “This show is not one to make you think or evaluate your life choices. It is just a show to make you laugh.”

Eloe, a master’s student studying applied computer science, came to Northwest with her husband, Dr. Nathan Eloe, who is an assistant professor in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

After Eloe graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with her bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in theatre, she became a theatre teacher at Rolla High School and taught there for four years. 

Eloe’s passion for theatre started when she was young. “Rumors” is the 23rd play Eloe has directed.

“The very first show I was in, I was 4 years old,” Eloe said. “I beat out all the boys to be the big bad wolf, and ever since then I have loved doing theatre.”

The remainder of the Theatre Northwest season includes “Stop Kiss” by Diana Son, Dec. 1-2; “A Spring Evening of One-Acts, Feb. 2-3; “Still Life with Iris by Steven Dietz, Feb. 22-25; and “Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, April 20-21.” The season also includes “Footloose” as the Department of Fine and Performing Arts’ biennial musical April 5-7.