Vail Valley Theatre Company presents a female take on ‘The Odd Couple’
Neil Simon’s popular play’s themes still ring true decades later
Billy Doran/Courtesy photo
American playwright Neil Simon wrote “The Odd Couple” in 1965, and the themes in the storyline still ring true today. “The Odd Couple” went from a Broadway hit to a comedy film in 1968 and then a television series.
“This play is a comedy that we feel everyone can get behind because it is just as relevant now as when it was written,” said director Gina Parrish. “Vail Valley Theatre Company is always looking to produce works that resonate with audiences and bring the community closer together.”
The original plot follows two gentlemen who are recently divorced and move in together. They end up getting on each other’s nerves due to their personality differences. “The Odd Couple” also has a female version, which is what the Vail Valley Theatre Company will be showcasing this week.
“‘The Odd Couple (Female Version)’ is a play set in the early 1980s. Not enough plays feature a strong female ensemble and we have so many talented female actors in our community, so we wanted to showcase them,” Parrish said. Parrish has a strong background and a degree in theater. She also teaches the Vail Valley Theatre Company’s monthly improv work shops.
“The plot features two very different women, neat freak Florence and carefree and chaotic Olive, who, due to unforeseen life circumstances, end up becoming roommates,” Parrish said. “Over the course of several weeks, a few game nights and even a date gone awry, they drive each other crazy in the most hilarious ways and have to face their differences head-on.”
Support Local Journalism
Simon is one of the most prolific comedic playwrights of the 20th century and “The Odd Couple” finds him at the top of his game. He shows that the unlikeliest of people can share a bond and meaningful experiences, often in a humorous way.
“As the director, I hope that the audience will come away with the idea that we can learn from and be friends with people who are different from us. We may all go about our lives in our own ways, but even if we have vastly different personalities, we can find common ground and support one another,” Parrish said.
Check out “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. at Homestake Peak School in EagleVail. Tickets and more information can be found at VailTheatre.org.
“Whether you are familiar with the 1968 movie or not, this version of ‘The Odd Couple’ will not disappoint! The cast cracks me up at every rehearsal,” Parrish said.
