Meagan Figueroa, playing role of Olive, right, and Lauren Davis, playing the role of Florence, rehearse a scene from The Odd Couple (Female Version)' on Tuesday afternoon at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College.
Lauren Davis, playing the role of Florence, rehearses a scene from The Odd Couple (Female Version)' on Tuesday afternoon at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College.
The cast of "The Odd Couple (Female Version)' rehearse a scene at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College on Tuesday.
Lauren Davis, playing the role of Florence, cleans up after Olive, played by Meagan Figueroa, during a rehearsal of 'The Odd Couple (Female Version)' on Tuesday afternoon at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College.
Meagan Figueroa, playing role of Olive, left, and Lauren Davis, playing the role of Florence, rehearse a scene from The Odd Couple (Female Version)' on Tuesday afternoon at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College.
Meagan Figueroa, playing the role of Olive, massages the back of Lauren Davis, playing the role of Florence, during a rehearsal of 'The Odd Couple (Female Version)' on Tuesday afternoon at the Wickstrom Theatre at Centralia College.
The original mismatched roommates will take the stage, but in a different version than you may have seen, as the female version of “The Odd Couple” opens Friday at Centralia College.
Much like the male version, best remembered for the film starring Jack Lemmon as Felix Unger and Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison, the female version of “The Odd Couple” tells the story of friendship blossoming under unlikely circumstances.
After separating from her husband, the uptight neat freak Florence Unger (portrayed by Lauren Davis) moves in with her carefree and messy friend Olive Madison (portrayed by Meagan Figueroa). The roommates struggle with life together but also ultimately forge a friendship and learn from one another.
Director Emmy Kreilkamp said she chose the female version of “The Odd Couple” because she has always been a fan of Neil Simon’s work. She said she has fond childhood memories of attending Neil Simon plays and figured that others may enjoy his sense of humor and realistic characters and dialog. As to which of Simon’s play to produce, Kreilkamp said growing up in the 1980s she enjoyed watching reruns of the television version of “The Odd Couple” starring Tony Randall as Felix and Jack Klugman as Oscar. The current makeup of the theater department at Centralia College also had an influence, Kreilkamp noted.
“When we had auditions for ‘4,000 Miles’ (the Centralia College fall production) we had a lot of actresses audition,” Kreilkamp said. “I knew this would work here.”
Davis and Figueroa said though neither of them were very familiar with either the male or female versions of “The Odd Couple” they were both excited to be part of the production. They said creating the chemistry between Olive and Florence was not too difficult because they already knew each other, including being part of the group trip to New York last year. They also admitted they both share similar traits with their characters.
“It’s kind of like I’m playing myself, just a little grosser,” Figueroa said.
The female version of “The Odd Couple” has a cast of only eight, two men and six females. The British love interests of the Pigeon Sisters of the male version are replaced by the Costazuela brothers Manolo (portrayed by Thomas Perkins) and Jesus (portrayed by Angelo Pastori). And Oscar’s poker night buddies are replaced by Olive’s eclectic mix of Trivial Pursuit gal pals: in-control police officer Mickey, portrayed by Rachel Frichette; blunt and nicotine-deprived Sylvie, portrayed by Brittany Wilcox; quick to complain Renee, portrayed by Jerica Lilly; and ditzy Vera, portrayed by Kelli Roberts. At a recent rehearsal, the supporting characters noted how quickly the six females in the cast have created a very natural feeling chemistry on stage.
“Sometimes I forget I’m acting because I’m having so much fun with them,” Frichette said.
Kreilkamp chose a thrust stage for this show, where the stage is on the actual floor of the Wickstrom Studio Theatre and the audience surrounds the stage on three sides. She said she feels the arrangement really compliments the intimacy of Simon’s writings, which are a blend of very realistic characters and dialog with a touch of humor.
“I think it gives a different perspective and really lets the audience feel part of the action,” Kreilkamp said of the stage setup.
This is Kreilkamp’s second production at Centralia College after taking the reins of the theater department there in fall 2016. She said she has enjoyed the staff and students of Centralia College immensely.
“It’s been great,” Kreilkamp said of being at Centralia College. “I have really felt very supported by the community.”
Kreilkamp said and wants to work at getting the word out to the community about the caliber of theater that goes on there. She said she is also working to add some new offerings for audiences. At this production, the Sunday, Feb. 19, and Friday, Feb. 24, shows will be followed by a post-show discussion with actors and the director.
Kreilkamp said she would rate the female version of “The Odd Couple” PG for sparse adult language and situations.
