THEATER: The Odd Couple

You have seen the show on television, watched the movie, now you have the chance to see the live play of Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE at Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall.

The cast is full of faces that will be familiar to regular Millbrook patrons. The two leads are particularly well known. Thom Caska is Oscar Madison, the divorced, sloppy, cigar smoking, sports writer. Marc de la Concha is Felix Ungar, the emotional neat freak who has just been kicked out by his wife. The two actors are talents that can carry a show.

Marc de la Conch has the physical ability and the facial expressions to make any part his own. It does not take long for the audience and Oscar to find out why Felix’s wife could not take any more of him.

I had no trouble at all in believing that Thom Caska’s Oscar was a born slob. His, not always, silent burn at his roommate’s behavior was fun to watch, especially when the Pigeon sisters came to visit.

Jamie Beth Weist and Eleanor McCormick were delightful as the Pigeon sisters. The fact that they could giggle at any thing that had a double meaning made me think that Oscar could indeed have a good evening.

The poker buddies were especially noteworthy. If you have not been to Millbrook before, you would not be aware what a group of talented young men they were. In past shows we had seen each of them in very different roles from rock stars to the prince of a small kingdom to a very unusual high school principal. James David Larson, Jon Erkert, Nicholas Carroll, and Dan Neufer are names to watch for.

It is no wonder that Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke chose this play to direct; she surrounded herself with exceptional talent.

This is the last show at Millbrook on the Main Stage. I selfishly hope to see each of these people back next year, but I also hope that a really big contract comes their way and that their audience becomes the rest of the country.

THE ODD COUPLE will be on the Main Stage until August the 14th. Ain’t Misbehavin’ will open on August the 11th and run until the 21st.