Shh, did you hear? PHS Spectacle Theatre and Tech Crew presented “Rumors,” a 1988 comedy, as their fall play. This award-winning play written by Neil Simon showcases a chaotic and seemingly joyous dinner party. Beneath the smiles, however, darker conflicts of mistaken identities and rumors lurk in the atmosphere.

Because of the characters’ deceptive identities, the actors had to familiarize themselves with multiple personalities within a singular role.

“[My character] is a bit of a people pleaser, so there [were] some scenes where she’s with a lot of people … and she’s doing her best to appeal to them and appear cheerful,” said Alexandra Sandt ’25, who played Chris Gorman in the blue cast. “The real struggle with my character ... was trying to find who she was behind that veil ... how [she would] act when she’s not placed in that high-stress situation.”

Konrad Hedges ’26, who played Lenny Ganz in the red cast, shared his experience of exploring his character.

“I think Lenny is a bit of a suppressed drama queen … [his career] doesn’t allow for much creative freedom, and I think in this play, Lenny gets to explore a side of him that’s more creatively free and expressive,” said Hedges.

Aside from the traditional challenges of getting into character, the comedic aspect of this play added a layer of complexity that offered new opportunities for the cast as they learned to adapt to this style.

“[In comedy], it’s so easy to fall flat and you really have to be very detailed in the rhythm and the pace ... or the jokes won’t land,” said Technical Director Jeffrey Van Velsor.

“[Performing ‘Rumors’ was] a really great exercise in delivering the lines quickly and clearly so that the audience gets the joke.”

Performers and the Tech Crew had been preparing for this play since the beginning of the school year. During Tech Week, the cast and crew collaborated on stage for the first time to resolve difficulties for the final performance.

“We [didn’t] want you to notice that there were any mishaps ... and that’s part of the beauty of it,” said Stage Manager Grace Waldman ’25. “[Tech Crew worked] as many hours as all the actors [did] to build the set, paint the set, be in rehearsal, and communicate all the things that [needed to] happen.”

Throughout the play’s production, PHS performers were given the opportunity to further their own narratives through their specific roles in the play.

“With every role I play, I find out a new thing about myself as a person, [like] something that is a quirk of mine ... Sometimes I’ll take a line from a show and I’ll just start saying it in my everyday vocabulary,” said Noa Zacks ’25, who played Chris Gorman in the red cast. “Playing different roles that come from different perspectives and walks of life helps you grow as a person and kind of realize where you’ve come from, because acting is putting yourself in another person’s shoes.”