Tickets $15 ($10 with a valid student I.D.) ____________________________________________________________________________
Most of you are familiar with the general setup of what is undoubtedly Neil Simon’s best-known work, THE ODD COUPLE, which spawned film, TV and "female" versions. It's a storyline we know well.
Oscar, a divorced and decidedly low-maintenance macho-but-likable slob with cash flow problems takes in a roommate, Felix, who is a majorly uptight borderline-neurotic clean freak going through a divorce, and the two quickly drive each other crazy.
In director Chris Walljasper’s version of this somewhat dated classic, however, these familiar dynamics have been thrown in a blender, resulting in some switcheroo in the character traits department.
Here we find a histrionic Oscar (Greg O’Neill) wound tighter than a spring, blooming with neuroses – channeling some traditional Felix, thickly overlaid with a hefty slab of David Sedaris. His faux-casual style of dress in no way belies his near-permanent state of high tension, and the result is a petty, in-need-of-therapy, young harpy who seems to have been born with his hackles on permanent high.
This production's Felix (Don Hazen) is a bit of a hypochondriac, very particular about his cooking, and a somewhat decent housekeeper, but he is the relaxed, likeable one – and, frankly, only someone with major issues of their own would find him an intolerable housemate. By far the most sympathetic Felix I’ve ever seen, the handsome Hazen’s character here is gently human, not given to high drama, and easy with his well-dressed look – without a hint of nebbish.
While this turnabout still provides plenty of contrast between the characters – and makes the scene where Oscar gives Felix a backrub (to help him relax) come across as comical in a wholly new way – much of this juxtaposition is directly at odds with the lines the playwright put down on paper.
Most of the actors in THE ODD COUPLE’s supporting roles turn in more traditional interpretations, making for some great poker playing and an (appropriately) awkward double date. Acting vets John Donald O’Shea and Michael Miller bring us the anxious Vinnie and gruff Speed just as we remember them,, and Alaina Pascarella pairs with Molly McLaughlin to portray the dimwitted, giggly Pigeon sisters. Adam Overberg makes for a fresh-faced young Roy who is ver appealing (though at the opening weekend performance I reviewed, he seemed to struggle with some of his lines).
As the best of the bunch, an almost unrecognizable J.W. Hertner (who plays Murray) is endlessly entertaining as the poker-playing cop. His jittery mannerisms and blurted lines make this character perfectly distinct, and they also garner him major laughs in a small role that usually blends into the background too well. Hertner’s work here is not so much scene-stealing as it is the exemplar of the finest character acting – because what we see is simply Murray, and that is just as it should be.
While not flawless, this ODD COUPLE is one that many will want to see because of its new take on Felix and Oscar. Some traditionalists may not care for it, and others – as I do – may think the role reversal doesn’t really work, but it is definitely interesting.
In addition to Hertner’s stellar turn in a supporting role, I especially enjoyed Hazen’s portrayal of Felix. This performer has a genuine, natural style that really comes through – even though the result is not the caricature Simon wrote.
Although this production's departure from tradition is perhaps not as successful as was likely hoped, it does give some new perspectives that might just have us really thinking about these characters for the first time in years.
And isn’t that enough reason to go see this chestnut one more time?
Here we find a histrionic Oscar (Greg O’Neill) wound tighter than a spring, blooming with neuroses – channeling some traditional Felix, thickly overlaid with a hefty slab of David Sedaris. His faux-casual style of dress in no way belies his near-permanent state of high tension, and the result is a petty, in-need-of-therapy, young harpy who seems to have been born with his hackles on permanent high.
