Hope Summer Rep has a winning hand with ‘The Odd Couple’
HOLLAND,Mich.–Hope Summer Repertory Theatre has been dealt a winning hand with its second show of the season, Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple.
As always Simon has a knack for creating characters we all recognize, even more than 50 years after the comedy debuted on Broadway in 1965. And Simon’s trademark circular banter has every character dealing out one liners faster than poker cards.
The Hope cast also has a couple aces up its sleeve, with longtime HSRT favorite Chip DuFord and Wayne State’s Michael J. Barnes in the title roles.
The Odd Couple has become so ubiquitous–1968 movie version, 1970s television version, and a television series remake in 2015–that most people already know the basic premise: divorced slob Oscar Madison invites neatnik poker buddy Felix Ungar to share his apartment when Felix’s marriage falls apart. The obvious conflict in their dress and housekeeping habits fuels most of the comedy, but in between all their disagreements they care about each other.
DuFord seems right at home as the pudgy, cigar chomping Oscar who enjoys life without too much concern about clutter, stale chips or bill-paying. He really excels at the character’s physical comedy: wiping up spilt beer with a sandwich, standing on the power cord Felix is trying to wind up, tossing clothes on the floor with artistic flourish. He exudes energy and intensity whether he’s trying to convince a suicidal Felix of his intrinsic worth or charm the neighbor girls.
Barnes plays fanatical Felix with a dancer’s grace. Whether he is straightening the window shades, vacuuming the carpet or displaying a burnt London broil, every movement is precise, fluid, controlled. Even when Felix is clearing his sinuses clogged by his many allergies there’s a certain melodic rhythm to the procedure.
I realized watching this show that my tolerance for fanatical has grown considerably since Simon created Felix 50 years ago. The character’s phobias are nowhere near the extreme of television’s “Mr. Monk,” for instance. And Felix recognizes that his behavior is difficult for others to accept. I suppose my definition of messy has also grown over the years. Oscar and Felix no longer seem as extreme as they did when I first met them in 1968. And that’s part of Simon’s genius: he can highlight the differences in personality without straying outside the realm of believability
The Odd Couple is by no means a two-man show. Simon has written a strong hand of poker buddies with distinctive characteristics and director Jahanna Becham has selected a talented cast to bring them to life. Kevin Beebee is quite believable as Murray, the comfortable good ol’ boy cop. Glen Forbes is loud and blustery as the sarcastic Speed who picks on the failing of his fellow players. Eric Robinson creates a memorable henpecked Vinnie. Brandon A. Wright is convincing as the quiet accountant Roy. The bubbly British sisters who live upstairs are portrayed with plenty of squeals and energy by Devri Chism and Kristin Conrad.
There are a couple hilarious scenes as the poker buddies play musical chairs trying to look like nothing is amiss at the card table. And Oscar opens a couple beers for his friends with plumes of spray that were too perfect to have been chance.
Scenic Designer Joseph P. Flauto has created a lovely New York apartment setting with plenty of door and window trim to give it a finished, period look. The set is well dressed with sports trophies on the shelf, as well as a crooked picture and cockeyed blinds to accent Oscar’s disarray. The physical comedy creates a bit of a mess on stage sometimes. Since Hope uses a thrust stage it isn’t possible to close a curtain for cleanup between scenes, but this is handled smoothly by a stage crew working under low light with snappy ‘60s music in the background.
A nod to Olivia Trees for her costume sense. She recreates the ‘60s with the sisters’ patterned white stockings, fluorescent wardrobe and gigantic earrings. Although male fashion hasn’t changed as much, the men’s sport coats resonate loudly in the polyester era.
Although the pace of the action may not keep up with today’s in-your-face comedy, Simon’s witty repartee guarantees that you’ll get plenty of laughs and never have a dull moment.