A 1988 review called Neil Simon's "Rumors" "a ... farce that has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh."
That's also the goal of Fort Smith Little Theatre director Valerie Valentine.
FAQ
‘Rumors’
WHEN — 7:30 p.m. today & Saturday
WHERE — Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 N. Sixth St.
COST — $10
INFO — 783-2966
"I chose this show because Neil Simon is an amazing writer," she says. "I love 'Rumors' because there is so much going on, and no matter what style of humor you prefer, 'Rumors' will bring it!"
Valentine says she was in her first play at Conway High School, "and I got the itch. I have a bachelor's in theater performance from College of the Ozarks, where I learned that I love to direct as much as perform. I have also performed in a variety of regional productions in the St. Louis area. I moved to Fort Smith in the fall of 2012, and I started working with FSLT in the opening production of 2013. ... 'Rumors' is my first full season show -- and it has been such a privilege."
With one weekend of the show already in the books, Valentine took a minute to answer three questions for What's Up!
Q. What makes Neil Simon's comedy timeless?
A. Neil Simon writes instant classics. His shows are so enjoyable to watch and perform. I believe this is because he uses a mix of intelligent dialogue and physical humor. His characters are very real and relatable to the audience, which allows you to enjoy the show so much more.
Q. How do you approach directing comedy?
A. From the big picture down to the details. I start with blocking of basic movements for characters. I then move to character development and character relationships. From there we move to the timing and pace of the show. Timing is very important in a comedy. I always want the actor to bring their ideas and style to their character, so I work with the cast to find the funny parts of the show. As we started blocking, we would work together to find the funny moments
Q. Is there a character you most identify with?
A. I probably most identify with Claire, because she relies on sarcasm to get through a stressful situation, and sarcasm is definitely my "go to."
Q. What's next for you at FSLT?
A. I am taking 2016 off from directing with the hope of getting to perform some throughout the 2016 season, which I am really looking forward to.
-- Becca Martin-Brown
NAN What's Up on 11/20/2015