Ivoryton’s “The Odd Couple” witty fun

IVORYTON — Who’d think divorce and possible suicide could be so funny?
Evidently Neil Simon did when he wrote the witty, silly play, “The Odd Couple,” playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse.
The actors here are a combination of professional and amateur talent that consistently lend extra excitement and energy to Ivoryton Playhouse productions.
The story is set in 1966 in New York City in a hot and smelly bachelor apartment where a group of men are playing poker. They are worried about their friend, the ultra-neat gourmet food loving Felix Unger, because he hasn’t shown up for their weekly game.
The gang, including the affable cop, Murray, played by Al Mulvey, Roy the account, played by Mike Souney, the squeaky-clean Vinnie played by M. Carl Kaufman, and cigar-chomping Speed played by Brian M. Cunningham, all sit around the table drinking warm beer, Coke, and almost eat the moldy sandwiches.
Oscar’s clothes are scattered everywhere — there are even socks on a lampshade — and one of the pictures is painfully askew in the solidly constructed apartment, designed by Dan Nischan.
What would a Neil Simon comedy be without the one liners? Felix’s friends joke that he is so cautious he even wears a seatbelt at a drive-in theater. When he locks himself in Oscar’s kid’s bathroom threatening to commit suicide, Oscar says the worst he can do in there is brush his teeth to death.
When Felix has a neck spasm, Oscar tries to help, but tells him he is “the only person I know who has clenched hair.”
Oscar, a divorced sports writer, takes in the newly separated Felix as a roommate. Felix writes the news for CBS.
Which brings up the two English Pigeon sisters — Gwendolyn played by the delightful Laura Beth Wells, and her Cecily played by the equally perky Eleanor Handley.
They enter as the double dates to Oscar and Felix. At one point the giggly sisters are left alone with the depressed Felix. When he tells them he writes the news for CBS, Gwendolyn innocently asks, “where do you get your ideas?” Funny stuff.
The fast talking actors could have sped their dialog up, particularly in the beginning. There were a few awkward overlong pauses in their exchanges over the cards. Better was when they were on the move, literally and orally, chasing Felix around the apartment while screaming in rapid-fire dialog.
“The Odd Couple” proves that opposites do attract in this fun and funny production running through August 30.

THE ODD COUPLE

3 Stars
Location: Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton
Production: Written by Neil Simon. Directed by Lawrence Thelen. Set design by Dan Nischan. Lighting and sound design by Tate R. Burmeister. Costume design by C. Delari Johnston.
Running time: 2 hours plus one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Aug. 30.
Tickets: $35 for adults, $30 for previews and seniors, $20 for students, and $15 for children 12 and under. Call the box office at 860-767-7318, or visit their website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Tony Rossi … Oscar Madison
R. Bruce Connelly … Felix Unger
Laura Beth Wells … Gwendolyn Pigeon
Eleanor Handley … Cecily Pigeon
Brian M. Cunningham … Speed
M. Carl Kaufman … Vinnie
Mike Souney … Roy