“It is such a fun, fun show. It’s one of those shows that literally the audience starts laughing at the very beginning and they don’t quit until the very end.”

That’s how director Nancy Jo Humfeld described the Lyric Theatre’s production of Rumors during a Tuesday morning interview at KOXE radio. The Neil Simon play will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 16 and 23 and Saturday, April 17 and 24, as well as 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and 24 and Sunday, April 18 and 25.

The Lyric’s website describes the production as follows:

“At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden’s Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their 10th wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife, Chris, must get ‘the story’ straight before the other guests arrive.”

Levi Packer plays the role of Leonard Ganz.

“He’s just a nervous wreck,” Packer said of his character. “The show begins with Leonard having a car accident and getting whiplash and his brand new BMW totaled, so it started out at a 10.”

Packer is acting in his second Lyric production.

“I lived in Los Angeles for almost 20 years pursuing acting and before that I got my degree in theater,” Packer said. “I was also active in that in high school and junior high so I’ve sort of been doing this my whole life.”

Also appearing in the play will be Nicholas Ewen as Ken Gorman, Tommie Bailey as Chris Gorman, Lasha Dennis as Claire Ganz, Joseph Dennis as Glenn Cooper, Alisa Hinton as Cassie Cooper, Ryan McCormick as Ernie Cusack, Holli Blanton as Cookie Cusack, Jake Bowren as Officer Welch, and Domonique Stephens as Officer Pundey.

“It’s a wonderful, all-star cast and they are just amazing,” Humfeld said. “Out of the 10 actors six of them have significant theatrical training and experience, which is really wonderful, and the others have experience with us. There’s a lot of physical humor that is just right there before you, then there’s a lot of witty, clever dialogue.”

Lyric Theatre Managing Director Eric Evans echoed Humfeld’s sentiments.

“There’s many subtleties and nuances of humor for this,” Evans said. “You will begin laughing at the start of the show and will giggle or burst out laughing all the way through.”

Tickets are available at brownwoodlyrictheatre.com at $15 for adults and $10 for students. A show for those who prefer to be social distanced will take place at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 23.

Drinks will also be available to patrons during the evening performances.

“There will be pre-show and intermission drinks, it’s called the studio drink hour for adults,” Evans said. “This is the first time we’ve done those things and we’re pretty excited about it. I think people will enjoy the evening.”

Texas-Clean is the presenting sponsor of Rumors.