No Rumors to dispel
Trio of community theater shows equal large success
The cast of Rumors. Front row, left to right: Christopher Bongen, Carrie Dreger, Jen Vander Laan, and Dave Hanlon. Back row, left to right: Thom Bray, Cray Rieckmann, Heather Podeszwa, Beth Rahn-Habhegger, Cam Reece, and Brent Frankenhoff.
By Brent Frankenhoff
Non-musical community theater had an overwhelmingly successful return to the Jensen Community Center October 16 and 18 with three presentations of Neil Simon’s comedy, Rumors. Presented by Variety Productions, the sold-out evening performances and nearly sold-out Saturday matinee delighted more than 700 theater goers and showed conclusively that the Tomorrow River community was hungry for comedic theater to come back after a multi-decade absence.
The show was dedicated to the memory of the Tomorrow River Community Theater (TRCT), a local group formed in 1978 that presented dramas, comedies, and musicals for around 25 years at various area locations, including the Amherst High School Gymnasium, Eddie O’s, and the Jensen Center. In addition to being dedicated to the TRCT, the set was painted in charter member Iris Ebsch’s favorite color, blue, and a photo of Ebsch was hung on the set’s back wall. In his opening remarks, first-time director Kenny Voss recognized members of the TRCT.
With a 10-member cast encompassing local performers as well as actors from Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids, Voss told the audience prior to the show’s opening, “Some of our cast members are either making their stage debut or returning after a long hiatus.”
In addition to Voss’ directorial debut, the show also featured the premieres of Assistant Director Reggie Cowden and Stage Director Collin Voss.
Between ticket sales, raffles, concessions, and donations, the production raised $8,500 in support of the ongoing fundraising for the Center’s 3Stage Expansion Project.
With that success, plans are already being developed for a fall 2026 production and, as Voss told the audience at each show, “If you think you might be interested, please let us know.”
Audition information and show announcements will appear in future issues of the Spirit.