OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee Community Theatre had its debut performance of Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” directed by Jakeb Blevins, on Friday, Oct. 10. Premiering originally in 1988, “Rumors” is a farcical play about four wealthy New York Couples getting together to celebrate an anniversary.

The show opens with Chris and Ken Gorman, portrayed by Reyna Reynoso and Evan Maples, in a somewhat hectic state that you soon learn is due to finding their friend Charlie with a non-fatal bullet wound. Chris calls a doctor but it becomes clear that Ken would rather keep this mishap a secret. As it turns out, their injured friend Charlie is Deputy Mayor of New York and his friends would rather his name not be drawn into any sort of scandal.

As the other couples begin to arrive for the anniversary party, it becomes more and more difficult to keep Charlie’s injuries a secret, and one by one their friends get drawn into a plot filled with rumors and hilarious misunderstanding.

Josh Van Wormer’s portrayal of Lenny Ganz was the standout performance of the evening, without a doubt stealing the show.

Lenny Ganz and his wife Claire Ganz, played by Katya Kolbassinskaya, are the first of the couples to arrive after Chris and Ken have found the injured Charlie. Josh delivers Lenny’s one-liners with such ease and confidence that it’s easy to forget he is playing a part. Lenny Ganz is a man who says what he’s thinking and seems to have no filter, easily making him simultaneously the most annoying and the most likable of all of the friends.

If you’re in search of some entertainment that leaves you wondering, “What happens next?” as well as providing some laughs, then look no further. Okeechobee Community Theatre’s performance of “Rumors” delivers both slapstick and witty comedy, with a bit of mystery.

The play will be showing on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 2 p.m. through Oct. 25 at 610 SW Second Ave. (The white building between the school board and the freshman campus.)

Dress warm! It can be chilly in the auditorium!