Entertainment
Surfside Playhouse serves a twist on classic comedy ‘The Odd Couple’
Surfside Playhouse offers a fresh take on ‘The Odd Couple’ with a female-centric version that celebrates friendship and the power of laughter.
“The Odd Couple” is getting a fresh makeover at Surfside Playhouse. The theater is giving the comedy classic new life with a female-centric version of the play, opening Friday, April 26 for a run through May 12.
“The Odd Couple” originally premiered on Broadway in 1965, and went on to win four Tony awards, including nods for actor Walter Matthau, director Mike Nichols and playwright Neil Simon. The original version follows mismatched roommates Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, whose wildly different personalities lead to comedic conflicts.
“The Odd Couple (Female Version),” written by Simon in 1985, swaps the central characters from “Oscar” and “Felix” to “Olive” and “Florence.” This adaptation follows Olive Madison, a carefree and messy divorcee, as she reluctantly takes in her uptight, neat-freak friend, Florence Unger, after their respective marriages fall apart. Hilarious hijinks ensue as these two navigate life under the same roof.
“This is Neil Simon at his best,” said director Bryan Bergeron.
“We originally considered both versions for our 2023-24 slate of shows, but we knew that the iconic original version was undoubtedly very familiar to our patron base,” Bergeron said. “The decision to go with the female version was made the moment we read the script.”
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Malinda Villain plays Olive, the free-spirited divorcee with a knack for living life to the fullest. Olive’s messy apartment serves as the backdrop for gatherings with friends, where laughter flows as freely as the wine. Opposite Villain, Adonna Niosi plays the neurotic and meticulous Florence, who seeks solace with Olive.
“Olive Madison, played by Malinda Villain, and Florence Unger, played by Adonna Niosi, spar onstage like champions,” Bergeron said. “The verbal jabs, the light-on-their-footwork and their experienced acting chops all merge to a somewhat pugilistic comedic and very satisfying climax.”
By flipping the gender roles, Surfside’s production is able to explore dynamics and nuances that add depth and humor to the story. Bergeron feels this production embraces a modern sensibility while staying true to Neil Simon’s timeless humor.
“The male version is a play of its time and includes culturally permissible layers of misogyny,” Bergeron said. “For today’s audiences, this is a bit of a throwback.”
“In Neil Simon’s 1985 rewrite, the tables are turned, but not in a negative way. We are free to let our guard down and enjoy the very funny dialogue.”
The magic of “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” lies in its ability to transcend gender stereotypes and celebrate the themes of friendship, acceptance and the power of laughter. Audiences will be reminded that sometimes, the most unlikely friendships are the ones that leave the biggest impact on our lives.
Bergeron hopes audiences will embrace the gender-swapped version of the classic play.
“It’s familiar, yet unfamiliar,” he said. “It will be a treat for our audiences.”
If you go
‘The Odd Couple (Female Version)’
Where: Surfside Playhouse, 301 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 12. There will also be a special Saturday matinee on May 11 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $28
Call: 321-783-3127
Website: surfsideplayhouse.com
Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.
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