←Recommendations of Just A Rumor

You do not have to know anything about Hollywood or the star system and the people who made it work to love this tight and beautifully woven combination of love, farce, and recollection of legends who, when you get right down to it, were people with lives, flaws, and the needs that we all share. You may recognize the real people behind the names and events, but even if not, it is a revealing and loving -- and at times hilarious -- tribute to them and their humanity. That's the glory of love.

What a marvelous tribute to a mythically proportioned era of Hollywood! The writing is consistently sharp, at times dazzlingly witty, at others delving into fundamental human truths. The conceit of anchoring the narrative in the fussing about around the dead body of a pivotal character is both poignant and an occasion for some wonderfully comedic moments. The characters are appropriately larger than life as Hollywood legends but distinct and relatable. Also some detailed world-building as we are immersed in sort of an alternative history of Hollywood. Truly stunning work from DeVita and Lyons! And I'm craving Yorkshire pudding.

What I loved most about this play was the way the writing, mood, dialogue, physical comedy, and characters mirrored the screwball comedies we all know and love, and yet, there is so much depth, truth, and pathos underscoring this piece about Hollywood legends and the great pains they took to avoid scandal. Hilarious at times and deeply moving at other moments, there are so many memorable lines in this play that will remain with the audience long after they leave the theatre. I loved it so much I had to read it a second time. Bravo!

Foreshadowing what "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood" would do for film, "Just a Rumor" successfully spins historical fact with fictional speculation that results in a rich, theatrical script that combines farcical action and laugh-out loud dialogue that has a deeper purpose. The play ultimately reveals affairs of the heart and how a death affects the survivors, who individually must confront the reality of what has been lost and what may be gained on the other side.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner meets screwball comedy meets MGM’s star-studded past meets the National Enquirer and more. I never thought I’d laugh so much over the machinations of moving a dead body. DeVita’s and Lyons’ homage to two screen-greats sparkle and crackle and deliver page after page. Through it all, there is a thread of poignancy and love for these people. DeVita and Lyons take “just a rumor” of those times and endear yourself to each character. Theatres: take a break from Royal Family and do this play instead. Audiences will follow and love.

Having just spent a year researching Viv and Larry, I was eager to read this play and wasn't disappointed. I loved the immersion into old Hollywood and particularly the themes of what emerges as truth years after the fact. Most enjoyable!

What if "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" was really a coming out play? Doug DeVita and Gary Lyons have written a play so engrossing you wished someone had asked that question long ago. The play completely captures both the banter and the heart of old Hollywood, and the well drawn characters stay with you long after you finish reading. This play deserves many productions. I hope it gets them.