A comedic favorite, The Odd Couple, has been dusted off and will be brought back to the Wausau East High School Main Stage as the East End Players proudly present Neil Simon’s classic American comedy.
The East End Players will present the male and female versions of The Odd Couple November 9-11 at Wausau East High School Auditorium.
“Neil Simon’s works are among the best known and most revered in American theatre,” said
Terry Riska, director of Theater at Wausau East High School. “The East End Players last produced both the male and female versions of The Odd Couple in the old East Theater during the 2001-02 school year and we invite the community to get lost in the nostalgia and enjoy seeing both versions of the play. “
In the male version of The Odd Couple, President Lyndon B. Johnson serves as Commander-in-Chief in the second year of his elected term — having assumed the position in 1963 following the death of John F. Kennedy. Black-nationalist leader Malcolm X was just shot to death at a Harlem rally. The Sound of Music plays on the big screen, while The Temptations “My Girl” and The Beatles “Eight Days a Week” play on the radio while a first class postage stamp costs a nickel.
Twenty years later, Mr. Simon updates and turns his original piece on its ear with his female version of the play. Set in 1985, the women play Trivial Pursuit instead of poker and cope with the changes in American society over the intervening 20 years with hilarity.
Approximately 30 students will take part in performances of The Odd Couple on stage or behind the scenes at the Wausau East Auditorium. The Male Version will be performed on Thursday, November 9 and Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m. The Female Version will be performed on Friday, November 10 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 11 at 1 p.m.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased at the Wausau East High School Business Office during school hours or at the door.
For more information, please contact Riska at 715.261.0650 x23317 or [email protected].
Top photo: Brenton Kniess (left) as Oscar Madison and David Livingston as Felix Unger
