Lisa Rinna, Phaedra Parks and Dolores Catania are among the Bravo’s “Real Housewives” stars who are uniting for a new Off-Broadway revival of Neil Simon’s farce “Rumors.” They will be joined by Stacey Rusch, Cynthia Bailey, Eileen Davidson, Carole Radziwill and Candiace Dillard-Bassett. This production will mark the New York stage debut for everyone other than Rinna, who has appeared on Broadway in “Chicago” as Roxie Hart and the upcoming “It’s a Wonderful Life” revival. Written by Simon, the acclaimed playwright of “The Odd Couple,” Sweet Charity,” Promises, Promises” and dozens more, “Rumors” revolves around a swanky soirée that spirals out of control.
Here’s the official logline: “Reality was just rehearsal. When four couples gather for a party in a wealthy New York suburb, they expect champagne, revelry, and a night of good fun. Instead, they find their host in an alarming state, his wife missing, and the police on their way.
Talk about a dinner party from hell!” Christine Baranski, Jessica Walter, Joyce Van Patten and Lisa Banes led in the original production, which opened on Broadway in November 1988. The revival, which will have a limited run at the Newman Mills Theater at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, will be directed by Zhailon Levingston, a recent Tony Award winner for “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” Performances will begin on Jan. 9 ahead of opening night on Jan. 25, 2027.
The production will feature two separate casts including Rinna as ‘Chris,’ Parks as ‘Claire,’ Rusch as ‘Cookie,’ and Catania as ‘Cassie’ from Jan. 9 through Feb. 28, followed by Bailey as ‘Chris,’ Davidson as ‘Claire,’ Radziwill as ‘Cookie,’ and Dillard-Bassett as ‘Cassie’ from March 2 through April 21. Casting for their husbands will be announced at a later date. That feeling of collective joy and release has stayed with me ever since,” Levingston said in a statement.
At a time when we are so deeply divided, I can think of few things more necessary than gathering in a theater to laugh together,” he said.
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