After a wildly successful world premiere run of Canadian Legends, the laughter continues this summer at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge with a classic comedy about mismatched roommates.
The popular play The Odd Couple will keep audiences in stitches for three weeks only, Aug. 12 to 29.
When neat freak News writer Felix Ungar is thrown out by his soon-to-be ex-wife, he reluctantly finds refuge in the sloppy apartment of his long-time friend Oscar Madison, a scruffy Sportswriter and recent divorcé. The friendship is put to the test as Oscar grapples with Felix’s perfectionism, while Felix must find a way to make himself comfortable in his friend’s slovenly surroundings.
Will these two friends learn to meet in the middle? Or will their irreconcilable differences drive them apart?
This peculiar pair, with decidedly different approaches to life, love and housework, has been entertaining audiences with side-splitting laughter since The Odd Couple debuted on Broadway in 1965. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the world-famous comedy, making it a fitting addition to the 2015 season at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge.
“The Odd Couple is a classic comedy that has something for everyone. It has stood the test of time and is still as funny and relevant today as it was 50 years ago,” said artistic director Alex Mustakas. “It’s humorous and touching, and demonstrates that the bonds of friendship are something that should be celebrated.”
A classic comedy from Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Award-winning American playwright and screenwriter Neil Simon, The Odd Couple teams J. Sean Elliott and Richard Quesnel as the housemates from hell.
J. Sean Elliott takes on the role of fussy hypochondriac Felix Ungar, whose wife has thrown him out. Elliott has appeared on stage in numerous productions for Drayton Entertainment including The Affections of May and Moon Over Buffalo, among others. He also directed Sexy Laundry, which will play at the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre this fall after two successful runs at the Huron Country Playhouse II in Grand Bend and King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene earlier this summer.
Richard Quesnel portrays Oscar Madison, who offers to share his apartment with Felix in his time of need. A big spender, problem gambler, and boozer, Oscar is everything the neurotically neat and fastidious Felix is not. Only recently forsaken by his wife, who has taken their kids and divorced him, Oscar has given free rein to his slovenly nature, until the state of his apartment disgusts even the buddies who drop by for a weekly night of poker. Audiences may recognize Quesnel from his role in Norm Foster’s The Melville Boys in 2012.
The Odd Couple also features Mairi Babb and Kristin Galer as the Pigeon sisters, Oscar’s neighbours, while Terry Barna, Sheldon Davis, Rob McClure and Ted Simonett play Oscar’s poker buddies Speed, Murray, Vinnie and Roy.
Director Marti Maraden is no stranger to Drayton Entertainment, having directed Looking earlier this season at the Drayton Festival Theatre. In 2008, Maraden was co-artistic director of the Stratford Festival.
Rounding out the creative team are set designer Stephen Degenstein, costume designer Jessica Bray, and lighting designer Louise Guinand.
Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults; $25 for youth under 20 years of age. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge Box Office, online at www.dunfieldtheatrecambridge.com or by calling the box office at 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
