Arts & Entertainment
"Rumors" Production Draws Weekend Crowds
Southington Community Theatre ensemble performed before hundreds, drawing laughs and gasps three nights in a row.
It wasn’t one actor with the Southington Community Theatre who brought people standing and applauding during the weekend performance of the Neil Simon stage play “Rumors.”
It was the back-and-forth wit and banter on stage that drew laughs at the DePaolo Middle School Thursday through Saturday.
"This entire group really came together well and is a pleasure to work with," said Director Amanda Savio Guay. "It takes a big commitment of time and energy. We began back in January with auditions, then the rehearsals that followed."
“'Rumors' is a wonderful play and this cast of actors make it truly, really funny," she said.
Stage Manager Missy DiNunno, while a newcomer to Southington Community Theatre, is no stranger to the theater production, either.
“I'm delighted to be here,” DiNunno said.
Her credits include five plays with Marist College, where she awaits induction as the youngest member of Marist College Theater Hall of Fame in September 2011.
“All my children played in SCT productions. Theater is something our town is fortunate to have,” said Producer Heidi Bass-Lamberto. “It isn't a given that everyone has creative opportunities within reach.”
Bass-Lomberto played the role of Cookie Cusak, an air-head chef given to vocal outbursts from an aching back.
Jarred Watterworth, who played Lenny Ganz, said theater has been a major part of his life. So much so, in fact, that Watterworth earned a BA in TV/Video production from Emerson College in Boston.
“There's great talent right here in town between Southington Community Theatre, the Southington High School Drama Club and the summer theater programs through the Parks and Recreation Department. Not only is it good for students, it's great for teachers and parents who get to enjoy quality productions locally and for a reasonable price too,” he said.
Peter Pristic, who played Officer Pudney, moved to town just a year ago. “I was ecstatic when I found Southington Community Theatre," he said. "I wanted to act and I'm glad I decided to audition.”
The full cast members included Troy Walcott, Lynn Fusco, Jared Watterworth, Valentina Lugo, Kevin Johnston, Heidi Bass-Lamberto, Rob Girardin, Sarah Rubelmann, Helen Crowley and Peter Pristic.
