Watching the talented, all female cast of The Odd Couple flesh out Neil Simon’s comedy was a refreshing treat. What a pleasure it was to see so many mature, funny women on one stage at one time. The Odd Couple is currently playing at Greenhouse Theatre on Lincoln Ave.
Kudos to director and producer, Robert Bills, for choosing this hilarious and female friendly 1985 adaptation by Neil Simon of his original “Odd Couple” written in 1965 about men. Even with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre History, I was not aware that this play by Simon existed. I recently saw the original by a fine all-star cast at Northlight Theatre and felt that joke for joke, Simon’s female version had more laughs and comedic insights into the difficulties of divorce and the value of real friendship than the all male version we are so accustomed to seeing.
Jeff Citation winning actress, Elaine Carlson, as Florence/Felix Unger was believable and sympathetic, as her character slowly and painfully broke free from her tightly wound ball of nervous tics and OCD inspired cleaning habits.
The two roles of Florence’s first double date after separation still played by men in the female version were much funnier than the bland/ blonde female dates as written in the original.
Cesar Jaime as “Jesus” and Diagoberto Soto as “Manolo” deadpanned and dropped their few scenes onto the audience like little comedy bombs each one detonating with precision laughter.
I love Neil Simon comedies when they are done well and I highly recommend seeing this rare production of one of his finest, little known comedy masterpieces.
The Odd Couple (female version) is playing through November 10th and tickets are $28. For more information visit www.greenhousetheatre.org.
