Tickets: $22-$37; Preshow music one hour before curtain.
​PG-13
​FREE Preview - Thursday, August 13 @ 7:00. No reservation needed.

​Fridays: August 21, 28
Pub opens 5:30; Performance at 7:00
Saturdays: August 15, 22, 29
Pub opens 4:30; Performance at 6:00
Sunday Matinees: August 16, 23, 30
Pub opens 12:30; Performance at 2:00

When guests arrive at an elegant anniversary party in suburban New York, they expect cocktails and celebration—but the host is bleeding, his wife is missing, and no one knows what’s going on! In Neil Simon’s Rumors, chaos and confusion spiral into a frenzy of misunderstandings, cover-ups, and outrageous lies. As the well-heeled guests scramble to save face and avoid scandal, hilarity ensues with Simon’s trademark wit and lightning-fast dialogue. A sparkling farce filled with sharp humor, mistaken identities, and manic energy, Rumors is a laugh-a-minute romp that proves gossip can turn any party into pandemonium.

This production is a PG-13 in regard to its content. For more details, visit our Content Advisory page.

Preshow Music from
K-Town Squeeze

The Ensemble

Lisa Adams( Officer Welch) returns to the Forst Inn after her debut performance earlier this season as Veronica in God of Carnage. While she doesn’t have very much previous experience impersonating an officer, she draws on Veronica’s rule of law and order tremendously in this role. Other favorite roles include Leonato(a), Much Ado About Nothing and Lady Capulet, Romeo & Juliet with Seven Ages Theatricals (Sheboygan), Belinda Blair/Flavia in Noises Off, Albright Community Theatre in Batavia, IL; Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird, Theatre in the Park in Petersburg, IL; Barbara Pitts, Reggie Fluty, Tiffany Edwards, and Newsperson in The Laramie Project, Springfield Theatre Centre in Springfield, IL. By day, Lisa is the Marketing and Events Manager at Third Avenue PlayWorks in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and resides in Manitowoc.

Haley Arndt (Cookie) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Rumors and grateful to continue finding her theater home in Northeast Wisconsin. After moving to Green Bay last June, she made her Green Bay Community Theater debut in May as part of The Wild Women of Winedale, and she’s excited to be back on stage in her Forst Inn debut with this wonderfully chaotic Neil Simon comedy. Haley has been performing since childhood and believes there’s nothing quite like the joy of live theater—especially when everything goes hilariously wrong. By day, she is a teacher; by all the time, she is a devoted wife and the proud mom of four amazing kids who keep life busy and entertaining. When she’s not grading papers, spending quality time with her husband, or rehearsing lines, she’s probably searching for a missing shoe, cleaning the bunny cage, or the yelling at the dogs to calm down. Haley hopes you enjoy the show and asks one small favor: if anyone has seen her earrings, please let her know before curtain. SDG

Carrie Counihan (Claire) is excited to be in another show at the Forst Inn, which she considers her theatre home. This is her 4th show this season at the Forst and discovered this incredible theatre company in 2021. She has since appeared in a variety of classics, comedies, parodies and musicals here and throughout the region. Thank you to all of the Forst Fam and Michael for creating a safe space full of amazing artists that produce such a variety of shows and to the audience and patrons who make it possible. We are excited to make you laugh because there is nothing more healing than a good laugh to a classic farce surrounded by your favorite people! 

​Jessica Iannitello (Cassie) is thrilled to be on the Forst Inn Stage once again! You may have seen her last season as Elvira in Blithe Spirit, and you can catch her later this fall in GBCT’s production of The Spitfire Grill, also directed by this show’s fearless leader Pete Dignan! During this show you’ll see her wield a white quartz crystal, though in real life her favorite stone is a tiger’s eye, representing confidence and strength (thanks be to God for His beautiful creations!). She’d like to thank not only Pete but also the rest of the cast for making this such a fun process filled with laughter and support. Lastly, she’d like to dedicate this performance to Ann Wolf, who was always a greatly loved presence in the Manitowoc theatre community and will be dearly missed. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! 

​Christian Love (Lenny) is appearing in his 4th show this season at the Forst Inn having appeared in God of Carnage, 39 Steps and the 10 minute play festival. He’s been involved in theatre for many years and loves making people laugh. In real life, he’s an early childhood education teacher, loves horror movies, sports and anything he does while spending time with his son, Tyler. Thank you to God for all of the opportunities and incredible people He has brought into my life! 

Timothy Merritt (Ken) is fortunate and excited to be in his second appearance at the Forst Inn. Tim has been an active theater participant since his high school days having been in performances during college and several throughout many community theater groups in Illinois and Wisconsin. Tim is thankful for places like the Forst, who strive to produce the best artistic portrayals of the many great works available in the world. Much like his character Ken, Tim tries to look out for all those around him, and will always step up into challenging circumstances to help resolve the issue, and protect all those close to him.

Kelsey Norton (Chris) is grateful for her first show at Forst Inn! Based in Green Bay, her recent credits include Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Carol (GBCT) and Fastrada in Pippin (Birder Players). As always, a massive thank you to her loved ones for their continuous support, but also to this production team and cast for adding so much community and laughter to her summer. If ever stuck in a situation like the plot of Rumors, most who know her would agree that Kelsey would 100% be the Chris of the situation: anxiously spiraling and trying desperately to take control. However, she likes to believe she’d opt for healthier coping mechanisms and fall less on her face!

Shannon Paige (Ernie) can’t wait for the audiences to witness this farce and goofy group of characters. Most recent roles you may have seen her in are Cherrie Sundae in Masquers “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and at the Forst Inn Tom in “And Then There Were None”, and Madam Arcati in “Blithe Spirit”. Did you know that it isn’t against the law to impersonate someone unless you do it well? Find out why I ask by seeing the show! Please laugh a lot and come twice! Even thrice!

Lexi Wallenberg (Glenn) is excited to make her debut at the Forst Inn Stage in their production of Rumors! Having played Cookie in her high school production over thirteen years ago, she is thrilled to working with another exceptionally talented group of people to bring this hilarious story to life once more. Other recent productions include Theatre on the Bay’s Noises Off, Betrayal, and Murder on the Orient Express. She also has performed at GBCT in A Sherlock Carol and Tin Woman. Lexi has always enjoyed supporting theatre and is always delighted when she can participate in performances in any capacity. Like Glenn, Lexi always tries to put on a good smile! She is grateful for her mother and father, Annemarie and Alan Wallenberg, and her two siblings, Tori and Jojo Wallenberg. Lexi truly knows how good her friends and family have been to her, and thanks them for all their wonderful support!

Artistic Staff
Director - Pete Dignan
Stage Manager - James Wilhelm
Properties - Karter Mueller
Set Dressing - Susan Voskamp
Costumes - Claran LaViolette
Scenic Painting - Lisa Heili
Technical Assistance - Michael Sheeks

Neil Simon’s Rumors premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre on September 22, 1988, before moving to Broadway later that year. The production was directed by Gene Saks, a frequent Simon collaborator. Simon described Rumors as his first true attempt at writing a full-scale farce, departing from the more character-driven comedies for which he was best known. During its Old Globe run, Simon continued extensively revising the script in preparation for Broadway.
Rumors opened at Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre on November 17, 1988, with a cast that included Christine Baranski, Ron Leibman, Jessica Walter, Ken Howard, Lisa Banes, Joyce Van Patten, and Andre Gregory. The production later transferred to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and closed on February 24, 1990, after 535 performances and eight previews.

Ticket Pricing is Set by Table Type
Saver Tables (Orange Tables) $22 Youth, $26.40 Senior/Student/Military; $30.80 Adult
Tier One Tables (Blue Tables) $22 Youth, $33 Senior/Student/Military; $37 Adult
​Click on seats to select ticket type and reserve. 
Tables 12 & 23 are good options for wheelchair or limited mobility access.