The rumors are true. "Rumors" opened Friday at Butler Little Theatre to the delight of a packed house.

Neil Simon's cleverly written comedy was brought to life by a novice and veteran cast. The performances were so much fun it was hard to tell who the novice was and who the veteran was.

No stranger to the stage, but new to the BLT was Stefan Lingenfelter, who portrayed Lenny Ganz. His facial expressions and delivery were the total package as he owned the role of Lenny.

He offered up an energetic and boisterous performance. His wife, Claire, was played quite capably by Samantha Drohan.

Renee Cuerden and Michael Timcheck played Chris and Ken Gorman, the first couple to arrive on the scene. Both are new to the BLT but they seemed a perfect fit in this zany cast of characters.

Cuerden was both spacey and sharp witted, and Timcheck was hilariously over the top in the scenes where his hearing is compromised.

Husband and wife Jeff and Alison Carey played on the stage spouses of Glenn and Cassie Cooper. Alison portrays the woman scorned quite well while Jeff is no slouch as the potential glad-handing politician.

Their chemistry was great as one might expect but their time on stage was too brief in my opinion.

Gary Collar and Sue Switzer played Erine and Cookie Cusack. Switzer was a riot with her dry wit and occasional off the wall moments. She had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand.

Collar was classic Collar with his ability to combine sweet and exasperated in the span of a sentence or two. He was thoroughly enjoyable.

Dean Weiland and Maria Leezer had brief appearances as police officers.

The loose plot is about four couples who come to a party where the host has been shot and for appearance sake stories are concocted and tales are twisted. In the end it's anyone's guess as to what really happened.

Though opening night was plagued by a few technical difficulties and a few brief indiscreet chuckles on stage, it was a rousing success according to the applause.

As directorial debuts go, Maureen Mossman should be quite proud of the cast she pulled together and the performances they offered.

A silent auction is being held during "Rumors."

Baskets will be on display before the show and during intermission. The winners will be selected at the last show on May 23rd.

The proceeds will go to a capital fund. One item the theater group wants to buy is a new curtain, costing about $2,000.