BUCHANAN — Gossip has a way of turning truth to fiction. While it can be entertaining to catch up on the latest rumors from celebrity mishaps to office blunders, the consequences often leave a hurtful trail of lies in their wake.   

This is one of the messages in the Tin Shop Theatre’s next production, “Gossip,” which follows the life of a high school girl, ominously named Gossip. Things at the school get interesting when this new girl with a penchant for bending the truth shows up.

“Gossip,” a 40-minute drama and comedy production, will debut at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with additional shows taking place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.

During a dress rehearsal Wednesday at the Tin Shop, Director Kelly Carlin advised actors on their performance. Carlin said there are nine actors from Buchanan High School starring in the show.

“It’s a good show with a message that has a twist in it that I don’t think anyone will see coming,” Carlin said.

The play was written by award-winning playwright Brian Hampton. Students involved in the Tin Shop rendition said they are excited to share the play’s message with their audience.

“It’s the personification of gossip and how it affects the teenage population,” said actor Hannah Donnelly, 16.

Donnelly stars as the character Dallas, who is known for her kindness — a character trait that dissipates as Gossip begins to spread her lies.

The actors said they felt the message of the play was a timely one, given that teens typically have to deal with gossip and its consequences on a daily basis, whether it’s in the hallways or on social media.

While the show doesn’t specifically address the use of social media and gossip, the teens said the message can apply, especially because gossip tends to proliferate over the internet.

Carlin said the play is a demonstration of students’ growth in the community theater. Many of the actors in “Gossip” have been taking part in Tin Shop productions for years.

One of those actors is 17-year-old Sarah Bianchi. For Bianchi, her time at the theatre is part of what inspired her to continue her passion for acting by pursuing a college degree in theater at Oregon State University this fall. Bianchi is starring as the character Andy in the production of Gossip. Unlike his peers, Andy seems to see the bigger picture to the impact of gossip and he refrains for being lured into the lies.

“It’s an important message to high schoolers, because this is the reality that gossip is a huge problem in high school,” Bianchi said. “I feel like it will kind of wake them up a little bit.”

Nora Kaltenbach, 16, plays the infamous character Gossip. For this role, Kaltenbach said she had to work with Carlin to really hone in on acting out manipulative character traits. Like her fellow actors, Kaltenbach said the play will entertain, but also give the audience something to think about.

“It talks about how two wrongs don’t make a right,” Kaltenbach said. “If someone is mean to you, you shouldn’t be mean back.”

Besides having the opportunity to share important messages with their community, Carlin said there are many benefits to being part of Buchanan’s community theater.

Those involved get to do everything from act in the show to painting and designing set pieces.

For Kaltenbach, challenging herself to get up on stage and act in front of a crowd has given her confidence and skills she said she can apply in the job market.

For other novice actors, the Tin Shop has encouraged them to participate.

First time actor Keith Gallegos, 16, said he’s normally very shy, but acting in the production helped him to gain enough confidence to perform on stage.

“I have had fun,” Gallegos said, adding that he could even be part of another show.

Students encouraged the community to come out and see what the rumors are all about. 

“There are so many movies out now for people to go to, but if you come to a theater it is real life people, and you get something slightly different every night,” Bianchi said. “It’s more of a personal experience that going to the movies, because [the action] is right in front of you.”

Tickets are free for season ticket holders and a special rate of $5 for others. Tickets can be purchased at the Tin Shop, Roe St. in Buchanan. For more info: tinshoptheatre.org.