St. Johnsbury Players Present a Neil Simon Classic

On October 27^th St. Johnsbury Player’s will open their Fall production of Neil Simon’s Broadway smash hit, The Odd Couple.  This comedy masterpiece later became a hit Hollywood movie starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, and later a hit TV sitcom.

The Odd Couple is a laugh filled comedy from the very first speech to the last. Friday night is poker night at superslob sportswriter Oscar Madison’s (Stephen Robertson) Upper East side apartment in New York City.  All the usual poker players (Brendan Hadash, Calvin Longe, Adam Lumbra and Nathaniel Wayne) are there except Oscar’s oldest friend, Felix Ungar (Dennis MacKay), a CBS newswriter and germaphobic neatfreak, who never misses the game. We learn that Felix has been thrown out of his home by his soon to be ex-wife. He moves in with Oscar, his behavioral opposite, and the fun begins. Add to the mix, two charming and attractive British Pigeon sisters (Mira George and Johanna Schillemat) who live upstairs and the humor ramps up exponentially.

The Odd Couple is directed by  Jan Clausing who has directed many shows for the SJP, most recently On Golden Pond and Plaza Suite.  He is ably assisted as assistant director, and stage manager by veteran director, Michele Laberge who for a number of years directed the theater program at Lyndon State College.  Michele is a long time resident of St Johnsbury.

The Odd Couple  opens on Friday October 27th at the St. Johnsbury School auditorium on Western Ave. in St Johnsbury with another performance on Saturday Oct. 28th. There will be three additional performances on Nov. 3, 4, and 5th.  Curtain times are at 7:30pm with the exception of the Sunday Nov. 5th performance, which is a two o’clock matinee.  Ticket prices are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for students and seniors and will be available at the door or can be purchased in advance through Catamount Arts. The play is suitable for all ages. The Odd Couple is produced in part through generous sponsorship by Community Nathional Bank, Passumpsic Savings Bank, Union Bank and by special arrangement with Samuel French.  For more information check us out on Facebook or call  802-467-03043.