Director’s Notes
While the term “rebuilding year” typically refers to sports, it’s also an appropriate description for this year’s theatre program. When live theatre was on hiatus due to social distancing and other precautionary measures last year, many of our devoted theater students graduated or found other activities to occupy their time. So when it came time to select a fall play for this season, I became anxious. Who would audition? How many would audition? Would we be able to perform a live show? Would audiences return? Imagine my delight, then, when several familiar faces returned, followed by students who had never performed on stage but wanted to give it a try. Add to them a plucky stage crew and energetic understudy, and the drama program was rebuilt! We had more than enough students to cast both versions of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. This is a difficult show for seasoned performers, let alone novices, but their continued efforts and support of one another was endearing, and their camaraderie is inspiring. I could not be prouder of this team! Enjoy the show!
Background
The L-S Thespian Society will present two versions of Neil Simon’s classic comedy The Odd Couple as the 2021 Lampeter-Strasburg High School Fall Play offerings. The original play premiered on Broadway in 1964 and resulted in a movie and a popular 1970s television series. Simon revised the play to feature a female cast in 1985 to create The Female Odd Couple. L-S High School’s run includes two performances each of the male and female plays.
The Odd Couple follows the adventures of Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison, Felix is neat and critical while Oscar is messy and irresponsible. Hijinks ensue and each man learns about the positive effects the other has on him. The Female Odd Couple is based on the same story with characters named Florence Ungar and Olive Madison. The male version includes a poker game with friends while the female version switches it up to a game of Trivial Pursuit.
Performances of the male version of The Odd Couple will open and close the show’s run on Thursday, November 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 13, at 7 p.m. Performances of the female version of The Odd Couple will be on Friday, November 12, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. All tickets are general admission and will be sold at the door. Doors open one hour before each performance.
