Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Odd Couple” opens May 31 at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Union City.
“The Odd Couple” is a Comedy by Neil Simon that examines male friendships and all the unique ways that men deal with the challenges they find themselves faced with.
Through hilarious physical comedy and male camaraderie among the booze drinking, cigar-smoking guys that Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar hang out with, the audience will experience that once-in-a-lifetime little-fly-on-the-wall perspective of how men really do deal with all the hardship that life can dish out, such as divorce, depression, being forced to move, having to adjust to a new roommate, dating and starting your whole life over in general.
“A lot of people think that men don’t feel as much as women do and that’s a lie. Men feel just as much as women do; they just present it in a different way,” said Jonathan Johnson, “The Odd Couple” director and UTM alumnus.
Johnson recently performed as Max Detweiler in Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” directed and co-produced the Bashful Cast of Masquerade Theatre’s production of “Steel Magnolias” and is slated to direct The 3rd Floor Theatre’s upcoming production of “Our Town.”
“The Odd Couple” features a behind the scenes look at the lives of two roommates, Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, and their four poker buddies, Murray, Roy, Speed and Vinnie, and the two women who live upstairs from Oscar and Felix, Gwendolyn and Cecily.
Oscar Madison is a divorced, cigar-smoking, poker-playing quintessential slob played by Todd Little. Todd Little is a Masquerade Theatre Board Member who has performed in many roles both on the stage and behind the scenes. His most recent role was as Herr Zeller in Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“It’s been a real challenge,” Todd Little said, talking about his latest role as Oscar.
Felix Ungar, played by Jared Hamlin, is an uptight, anal retentive, recently divorced neat freak who is unfortunately currently living with quintessential slob Oscar. Hamlin is a UTM alumnus who has performed in many roles on and off Masquerade Theatre’s stage. He recently served as producer of Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“I’ve learned that there’s a little bit of me in Felix. I am Oscar when it comes to organization and Felix when it comes to attitude,” Hamlin said.
Murray is a cop who gets worked up over all the little stuff that most people might overlook, but when it comes to the really big stuff that he should get worked up over, he starts backing-off for no good reason. Imagine combining the anxiousness of “The Andy Griffith Show’s” Deputy Barney Fife with Sheriff Andy Taylor’s words of wisdom.
John-Alex Warner, a senior at Union City High School, will be performing the role of Murray. He has been in many other productions on the Masquerade Theatre stage. His most recent role was that of the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz.”
“It’s interesting to play my character. He is not the comedic relief as much as he is the words of wisdom,” said Warner.
Roy is not only one of Oscar’s poker buddies, but also his accountant, which makes him privy to many of Oscar’s most private secrets. Roy is played by UTM Lecturer of Psychology Brian Johnson.
“Roy is the kind of friend that says things to you that you need to hear but maybe don’t want to hear. He feels like he can do this where the other guys don’t, because he knows things about Oscar that they don’t,” Brian Johnson said.
Johnson recently appeared on Masquerade Theatre’s stage as Uncle Henry/Guard of Oz in “The Wizard of Oz,” directed and co-produced the Blush Cast of Masquerade Theatre’s production of “Steel Magnolias” and performed as Lester Bryce in Market House Theatre’s production of “”Duck Hunter Shoots Angel.”
Speed is the quintessential jerk with just one problem: he actually has a good flaw. He may be a royal jerk, but he genuinely does care about his friends. He just doesn’t want that to get out and ruin his reputation or anything.
Aaron Scott who is a senior at Obion County Central High School has performed on stage in minor roles and helped backstage in many Masquerade Theatre productions. Scott will take on his first major acting role as Speed on the Masquerade Theatre stage May 31.
“It has been a really fun experience for me to have a lot more to do with the show. I have a lot more on my shoulders, and I am trying to get a good performance out,” Scott said.
Vinnie is actually a really nice guy that is just a little slow sometimes, but is always well intentioned. He’s the last one to laugh at a joke, because he’s usually the last one to get its meaning and often finds himself the butt of many of the jokes. However, everyone likes him because he really wants to make others happy, even if it sometimes means giving up on something that’s important to him.
Levi Wright, who recently worked as part of the backstage crew on Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” will be making his acting debut May 31 on Masquerade Theatre’s stage in his one-night-only performance in the role of Vinnie.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s been a blast,” Wright said.
Michael Cochran, a senior UTM Universities Studies major who recently performed as Baron Elberfeld in Masquerade Theatre’s production of “The Sound of Music,” will be performing in the role of Vinnie for the remaining performances.
“I am loving playing this role,” Cochran said.
Gwendolyn Pigeon, played by Karen Saldaña,is a young, free-spirited widow who lives with her even younger divorced sister. Her apartment just happens to be in the same building as Oscar and Felix’s. An unexpected delay in the elevator puts her and her sister on Oscar’s radar.
Saldaña, who is a UTM alumna, will be making her debut performance May 31 on Masquerade Theatre’s stage and her first performance on the stage anywhere since 2009. She is slated to assistant direct The 3rd Floor Theatre’s upcoming production of “Our Town.”
Cecily Pigeon who is played by Maggie Olmstead, is Gwendolyn Pigeon’s younger sister, roommate and partner-in-crime. She is recently divorced and enjoying being able to flirt and have fun.
Olmstead who is a UTM alumna has been in many of Masquerade Theatre’s recent productions. She played the Wicked Witch in “The Wizard of Oz,” Shelby Eatenton Latcherie in the Bashful Cast of “Steel Magnolias” and Lily St. Regis in “Annie.”
“It’s fun playing the villain, but it’s great to be able to tap into so many different aspects. It’s really been cool,” Olmstead said.
Kristen Smith who is a UTM alumna is fulfilling the role of assistant director for the first time for a Masquerade Theatre production. She recently performed in Masquerade Theatre’s production of “Annie” as Miss Hannigan.
Jennie Overall, who is a Masquerade Theatre Board Member, serves as the costume mistress. Overall has performed many roles both on stage and behind the scenes. Most recently she performed on stage as Frau Zeller in “The Sound of Music.”
Bob Elderkin, who is a UTM alumnus, serves as technical director and set and lighting designer. He has worked at the Capitol Theatre for nine years, bringing all of Masquerade Theatre’s productions to life.
Sheila Little serves as assistant costume designer. Sheila Little has helped with many of Masquerade Theatre’s productions. Most recently she served as the costume designer for “The Sound of Music.”
Jeannine Cranford, who is a Masquerade Theatre Board Member, serves as producer. Cranford has performed many roles over the years both on stage and behind the scenes.
Brent Cooley, who is a UTM alumnus, serves as the stage manager. Cooley recently worked backstage during Masquerade Theatre’s production of “Annie.”
Joey Cochran, who is a senior at Obion County Central High School, will be fulfilling the role of assistant stage manager. Joey Cochran has performed on stage and helped behind the scenes in many other Masquerade Theatre productions and most recently as part of the stage crew for “The Sound of Music.”
This play will take place at 7:30 p.m. on May 31 and June 1, 2 p.m. on June 2, 7:30 p.m. on June 7 and 8 and 2 p.m. on June 9.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the door 30 minutes before the play begins or ahead of time at Lanzer Printing and Office Supply, 203 S. First St., Union City, 731-885-0651.
