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The Odd Couple (play)

February 04, 2023

The Odd Couple is a play by Neil Simon. Following its premiere on Broadway in 1965, the characters were revived in a successful 1968 film and 1970s television series, as well as several other derivative works and spin-offs. The plot concerns two mismatched roommates: the neat, uptight Felix Ungar and the slovenly, easygoing Oscar Madison. Simon adapted the play in 1985 to feature a pair of female roommates (Florence Ungar and Olive Madison) in The Female Odd Couple. An updated version of the 1965 show appeared in 2002 with the title Oscar and Felix: A New Look at the Odd Couple.

The Odd Couple
Written byNeil Simon
Date premiered1965
Place premieredUnited States
Original languageEnglish
GenreComedy
SettingAn apartment on Riverside Drive, New York City.

History

Sources vary as to the origins of the play. In The Washington Post's obituary of Simon's brother Danny, a television writer, Adam Bernstein wrote that the idea for the play came from his divorce. "Mr. Simon had moved in with a newly single theatrical agent named Roy Gerber in Hollywood, and they invited friends over one night. Mr. Simon botched the pot roast. The next day, Gerber told him: 'Sweetheart, that was a lovely dinner last night. What are we going to have tonight?' Mr. Simon replied: 'What do you mean, cook you dinner? You never take me out to dinner. You never bring me flowers.'" Danny Simon wrote a partial first draft of the play, but then handed over the idea to Neil.[1]

However, in the Mel Brooks biography It's Good to Be the King, author James Robert Parish claims that the play came about after Simon observed Brooks, in a separation from his first wife, living with writer Speed Vogel for three months. Vogel later wrote that Brooks had insomnia, "a brushstroke of paranoia", and "a blood-sugar problem that kept us a scintilla away from insanity".

Boston tryout

Simon credited Boston critic Elliot Norton with helping him develop the final act of the play.[2] Norton practiced drama criticism when the relationship between the regional critic and playwrights whose shows were undergoing tryouts in their towns were not as adversarial as they were to become.

Appearing on the public television show Elliot Norton Reviews, during Simon's conversation with the critic, Norton said that the play went "flat" in its final act.[3] As it appeared originally at Boston's Colonial Theatre, the characters the Pigeon Sisters did not appear in the final act.[4]

Simon told The Boston Globe:

He invited one of the stars and the writer. He loved the play and gave it a wonderful review but he said the third act was lacking something. On the show he said, 'You know who I missed in the third act was the Pigeon Sisters,' and it was like a light bulb went off in my head. It made an enormous difference in the play. I rewrote it and it worked very well. I was so grateful to Elliot ... Elliot had such a keen eye. I don't know if he saved the play or not, but he made it a bigger success.[5]

Plot overview

Felix Ungar, a neurotic, neat freak news writer (a photographer in the television series), is thrown out by his wife, and moves in with his friend Oscar Madison, a slovenly sportswriter. Despite Oscar's problems – careless spending, excessive gambling, a poorly kept house filled with spoiled food – he seems to enjoy life. Felix, however, seems utterly incapable of enjoying anything and only finds purpose in pointing out his own and other people's mistakes and foibles. Even when he tries to do so in a gentle and constructive way, his corrections and suggestions prove extremely annoying to those around him. Oscar, his closest friend, feels compelled to throw him out after only a brief time together, though he quickly realizes that Felix has had a positive effect on him.

The play and the film both spell Felix's name Ungar, while the television series spells it Unger.

 
Felix and the Pigeon Sisters.

Characters

  • Felix Ungar: A fastidious, hypochondriac news writer whose marriage is ending.
  • Oscar Madison: A slovenly, recently divorced sportswriter and Felix's best friend.
  • Murray: A NYPD policeman, one of Felix's and Oscar's poker buddies.
  • Speed: One of the poker buddies. Gruff and sarcastic, often picking on Vinnie and Murray.
  • Vinnie: One of the poker buddies. Vinnie is mild-mannered and henpecked, making him an easy target for Speed's verbal barbs.
  • Roy: One of the poker buddies. Oscar's accountant. Roy has a dry wit but is less acerbic than Speed.
  • Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon: Felix's and Oscar's giggly upstairs neighbors, a pair of English sisters. The former is a divorcée, the latter a widow.

Productions

 
Walter Matthau and Art Carney in the 1965 production.

The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on March 10, 1965, and transferred to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre where it closed on July 2, 1967, after 964 performances and two previews. Directed by Mike Nichols, the cast starred Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison and Art Carney as Felix Ungar.[6] The production gained Tony Awards for Walter Matthau, Best Actor (Play), Best Author (Play), Best Direction of a Play, and Best Scenic Design (Oliver Smith), and was nominated for Best Play.[6]

Matthau was replaced with Jack Klugman in November 1965, and then Pat Hingle in February 1966.[6] Carney was replaced with Eddie Bracken in October 1965[6] and later Paul Dooley.[7]

Stage revivals

In 1968, James Wheaton directed an all black version of the show at the Ebony Showcase Theatre in Los Angeles. The production starred Nick Stewart and Morris Erby. The cast also included Larry McCormick in his acting debut.[8]

In 1970, the McMaster Shakespearean Players performed The Odd Couple with Martin Short as Felix, Eugene Levy as Oscar, and Dave Thomas as Murray; all three actors would later find fame as cast members of SCTV.

In 1989, Ronald Harwood directed a production at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, with Derek Griffiths as Oscar and Sam Kelly as Felix.

In 1994, a version of the play moved to The Kings Theatre, Glasgow and toured Scotland, starring Gerard Kelly as Felix, Craig Ferguson as Oscar and Kate Anthony as Gwendolyn Pigeon. Kelly reprised the role of Felix at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe, opposite Andy Gray.

In 1996, Klugman and Tony Randall reprised their roles from the TV series for a three-month run at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket, London.[9] The production was an effort to raise money to support Randall's National Actors Theatre. (Klugman had previously played Oscar in London opposite Victor Spinetti as Felix.)

In a 1997 issue of Premiere magazine, Billy Crystal and Robin Williams announced a possible stage revival, in anticipation of success of their film Fathers' Day (1997). When that film failed at the box office, the Crystal–Williams revival was abandoned.

Also in 1997, a tour of the US and Canada was mounted by Troupe America and Lake Pepin Players starring Jamie Farr as Oscar, William Christopher as Felix, and William Richard Rogers as Murray. The production was directed by Curt Wollan.

In 2001, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak and Hawaii TV news anchor Joe Moore (Sajak's Vietnam roommate and close friend) played Felix and Oscar at the Hawaii Theatre Center as a benefit for Hawaii's Manoa Valley Theater.

In 2002, Simon wrote an updated version of The Odd Couple, titled Oscar and Felix: A New Look at the Odd Couple. This version incorporated updated references and elements into the original storyline. This production ran at the Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles) from June 2002 to July 21, 2002 with a cast that starred Gregory Jbara (Vinnie), John Larroquette (Oscar), Joe Regalbuto (Felix) and María Conchita Alonso (Ynes) and was directed by Peter Bonerz.[10]

A revival of the original version opened on Broadway at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 27, 2005, and closed on June 4, 2006, after 249 performances. Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane played Felix and Oscar, respectively.[11][12] Due to illness, Lane was replaced for three performances in January 2006 by Brad Garrett, who played Murray earlier in the same production.[13]

In August 2005, British comedians Bill Bailey and Alan Davies played Oscar and Felix at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival directed by Guy Masterson which was the hit of the festival.[14]

A reading featuring Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup was staged at the Cherry Lane Theatre on January 9, 2011.[15]

A Venezuelan production appeared at the Trasnocho Cultural Theater in 2009. It was Directed by Armando Alvarez and featured Armando Cabrera (Oscar), Luigi Sciamanna (Felix), Juan Carlos Ogando (Richard), Alezander Slorzano (Murray), Alexandra Malave (Clementina), and Stephanie Cardone (Cecilia).

The all-female Takarazuka Revue Company performed the show under the title Okashi-na Futari (おかしな二人) in September 2011 in Takarazuka, Japan. It starred Yu Todoroki as Oscar and Misa Noeru as Felix.[16]

In 2011, Cezary Żak and Artur Barciś (popular actors from the Polish hit TV series Ranczo) performed as Oscar and Felix in Dziwna Para, a Polish rendition of The Odd Couple. The play was performed in the U.S and in Toronto, Canada, and received good reviews.

In 2016, Australian comedians Shaun Micallef and Francis Greenslade starred as Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison in a version of the play directed by Peter Houghton. The play was performed at Southbank Theatre, Melbourne from November 5 to December 22, 2016, and received positive reviews.

Female version

In 1985, Neil Simon revised The Odd Couple for a female cast. The Female Odd Couple was based on the same story line and same lead characters, now called Florence Ungar and Olive Madison. The poker game became Trivial Pursuit with their friends becoming the girlfriends: Mikey, Sylvie, Vera, and Renee. The English-born Pigeon sisters became the Spanish-born Costazuela brothers, Manolo and Jesus.

The Female Odd Couple opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 11, 1985, and closed on February 23, 1986, after 295 performances and nine previews. Directed by Gene Saks, responsible for the 1968 film version, the leads were Sally Struthers as Florence (Felix) and Rita Moreno as Olive (Oscar), respectively, with Lewis J. Stadlen and Tony Shalhoub (in his Broadway debut) as the Costazuela brothers. Rita was later replaced by Brenda Vaccaro. Sally Struthers indicated on Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast that Rita was very difficult to work with. [17][18]

A London production of this version ran at the Apollo Theatre in 2001 and starred Paula Wilcox (Florence) and Jenny Seagrove (Olive).[19][20][21]

Translated into Spanish as La extraña pareja the female version opened in Madrid in 2017. Directed by Andrés Rus, the leads were Susana Hernáiz (Olga/Olive) and Elda García (Flora/Florence) in the main roles.[22]

Film and TV adaptations

Neil Simon sold film and TV rights to Paramount Pictures in 1967. Paramount produced two theatrical films, three live-action TV series and an animated series based upon the play.

1968 film

Main article: The Odd Couple (film)

In 1968, The Odd Couple was made into a highly successful film starring Jack Lemmon as Felix and Walter Matthau reprising their roles from the play. Much of the script from the play is the same, although the setting is expanded: instead of taking place entirely in Oscar's apartment, some scenes take place at various locations in New York. The film was also written by Simon (who was nominated for an Academy Award) and was directed by Gene Saks.

In 1998, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau reprised their roles for the film sequel The Odd Couple II, produced by Neil Simon.

1970–1975 ABC sitcom

Main article: The Odd Couple (1970 TV series)

The success of the film was the basis for the 1970–75 ABC television sitcom, starring Tony Randall as Felix and Jack Klugman as Oscar. Klugman was familiar with the role as he had replaced Walter Matthau in the original Broadway run. Neil Simon originally disapproved of this adaptation, but by the series' final season, he reassessed the show positively to the point of appearing in a cameo role.

Randall and Klugman also reunited in 1993 for a made-for-TV reunion film based upon the series, The Odd Couple Together Again. The movie was initially broadcast on CBS on September 24, 1993. Robert Klane was the writer and director, with a cast that included Barbara Barrie as Felix's wife, Penny Marshall as Myrna and Dick Van Patten. Jack Klugman's real-life throat-cancer surgery was written into the script, when Felix (Tony Randall) stays with Oscar and helps with his rehabilitation.[23]

1975 ABC cartoon

Main article: The Oddball Couple

In the fall of 1975, ABC aired a cartoon version of the play entitled The Oddball Couple, produced by Paramount and DePatie-Freleng Enterprises. The roles were played by a neat cat named Spiffy and a sloppy dog named Fleabag. Unlike every live-action incarnation of Neil Simon's work, the pair's jobs were reversed. The neat cat was a writer, while the sloppy dog was a photographer.

1982–1983 ABC sitcom

Main article: The New Odd Couple

In 1982, ABC aired a new version of the series, entitled The New Odd Couple. Produced by Garry Marshall, the premise of the new version has two black actors, Ron Glass as Felix and Demond Wilson as Oscar. The New York Times reviewer noted: "What may be surprising is how little the spine of the show has changed. The dialogue has been updated a little, but the plots are essentially the same. The New Odd Couple bounces along nicely. It adds nothing new to the craft of situation comedy, but it does provide employment and a good showcase for talented black actors, who generally don't have an easy time of it on television these days".[24] This new version was not successful and was canceled after just 13 episodes.

2015 CBS sitcom

Main article: The Odd Couple (2015 TV series)

Another adaptation, again called The Odd Couple, was a multi-camera comedy that ran for three seasons on CBS from 2015 to 2017. The series starred Matthew Perry as Oscar and Thomas Lennon as Felix; it was a pet project for Perry, who also served as the show's co-developer, co-executive producer and co-writer.[25] The show also featured Wendell Pierce as Teddy, Oscar's agent, Yvette Nicole Brown as Dani, Oscar's assistant, Dave Foley as Roy (a holdover from the original play), and Leslie Bibb and Lindsay Sloane as Casey and Emily (taking over for the Pigeon sisters).[26][27][28][29][30]

References

  1. ^ Bernstein, Adam. (July 28, 2005). "TV Comedy Writer Danny Simon Dies". The Washington Post. August 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. ISSN 0190-8286 OCLC 2269358 ProQuest 409810919
  2. ^ Simonson, Robert. . 21 Jul 2003. Playbill. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  3. ^ Collier, Jay. "One of the Deans of Theater Criticism, Elliot Norton, Exits the Stage". WGBH Alumni: Pioneers in Broadcasting. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  4. ^ . Passings. Los Angeles Times. 23 July 2003. eISSN 2165-1736. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Archived from the original on 23 July 2003. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  5. ^ Siegel, Ed (21 July 2003). "Elliot Norton, 100, legendary critic of American theater". Boston Globe. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d The Odd Couple Internet Broadway database, accessed April 12, 2012
  7. ^ "Paul Dooley biography" Movies.yahoo.com
  8. ^ "Negro version of 'Odd Couple' set". Los Angeles Times. 21 May 1968. p. 64. eISSN 2165-1736. ISSN 0458-3035. OCLC 3638237. Retrieved 11 Sep 2017. Scroll down to read a snippet. Larry McCormick, KGFJ disc jockey, will make his acting debut in the show.
  9. ^ "Financial Times review of the 1996 London production". Compulink.co.uk. 1996-06-26. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  10. ^ Oxman, Steven. "Legit Reviews. 'Oscar and Felix': A New Look at The Odd Couple" Variety (webcache), June 21, 2002
  11. ^ " The Odd Couple, 2005" Internet Broadway Database, accessed April 12, 2012
  12. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Together Again: Lane and Broderick Open in The Odd Couple'" playbill.com, October 27, 2005
  13. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Brad Garrett Steps in for Ailing Lane in 'Odd Couple'" playbill.com, January 2006
  14. ^ Daoust, Phil (8 August 2005). "The Odd Couple". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  15. ^ "The Odd Couple Reading, with Ethan Hawke, Billy Crudup, Julia Stiles, Presented Jan. 9" 2011-01-11 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com
  16. ^ Takarazuka Revue おかしな二人 2011-09-01 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ " 'The Odd Couple', 1985" Internet Broadway Database, accessed April 12, 2012
  18. ^ Kerr, Walter. "Stage View; Is This Couple Too Odd, or Not Odd Enough?" The New York Times, June 23, 1985
  19. ^ Ian Shuttleworth (2001-04-23). "Review of The Female Odd Couple". Cix.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  20. ^ Review of The Female Odd Couple 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ "London Theatre Guide archive: The Female Odd Couple". Londontheatre.co.uk. 2001-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  22. ^ "'LA EXTRAÑA PAREJA': SUSANA HERNÁIZ Y ELDA GARCÍA SE TIRAN LOS TRASTOS A LA CABEZA ENTRE RISAS Y CARCAJADAS". 21 November 2017.
  23. ^ Voros, Drew. " 'The Odd Couple' (Fri. (24), 9-11 p.m. CBS)", Daily Variety, September 24, 1993, (no page number)
  24. ^ O'Connor, John J. "New Odd Couple,' 'Chastity Gulch' ", The New York Times, October 29, 1982, Section C; p.26
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 14, 2014). "CBS 2014 Schedule: Monday Comedy Block Trimmed, 'NCIS: New Orleans' Gets Post-'NCIS' Slot, 'NCIS: LA' To Monday, 'CSI' To Sunday, 'The Amazing Race' To Friday". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
  26. ^ TV.com (2013-12-14). "TV.com". TV.com. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
  27. ^ "Thomas Lennon is Felix to Matthew Perry's Oscar in CBS' 'Odd Couple' Pilot". Variety. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  28. ^ "'The Wire' Actor Joins CBS' 'Odd Couple' Pilot". Variety. Retrieved 2014-03-15.
  29. ^ "Georgia King To Co-Star In CBS Comedy Pilot 'The Odd Couple'". March 17, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  30. ^ "Lindsay Sloane Joins CBS Pilot 'The Odd Couple'". March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 22, 2014.

External links

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Odd Couple (play).
 
Wikiquote has quotations related to The Odd Couple.

February 04, 2023
couple, play, couple, play, neil, simon, following, premiere, broadway, 1965, characters, were, revived, successful, 1968, film, 1970s, television, series, well, several, other, derivative, works, spin, offs, plot, concerns, mismatched, roommates, neat, uptigh. The Odd Couple is a play by Neil Simon Following its premiere on Broadway in 1965 the characters were revived in a successful 1968 film and 1970s television series as well as several other derivative works and spin offs The plot concerns two mismatched roommates the neat uptight Felix Ungar and the slovenly easygoing Oscar Madison Simon adapted the play in 1985 to feature a pair of female roommates Florence Ungar and Olive Madison in The Female Odd Couple An updated version of the 1965 show appeared in 2002 with the title Oscar and Felix A New Look at the Odd Couple The Odd CoupleWritten byNeil SimonDate premiered1965Place premieredUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishGenreComedySettingAn apartment on Riverside Drive New York City Contents 1 History 1 1 Boston tryout 2 Plot overview 3 Characters 4 Productions 4 1 Stage revivals 5 Female version 6 Film and TV adaptations 6 1 1968 film 6 2 1970 1975 ABC sitcom 6 3 1975 ABC cartoon 6 4 1982 1983 ABC sitcom 6 5 2015 CBS sitcom 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditSources vary as to the origins of the play In The Washington Post s obituary of Simon s brother Danny a television writer Adam Bernstein wrote that the idea for the play came from his divorce Mr Simon had moved in with a newly single theatrical agent named Roy Gerber in Hollywood and they invited friends over one night Mr Simon botched the pot roast The next day Gerber told him Sweetheart that was a lovely dinner last night What are we going to have tonight Mr Simon replied What do you mean cook you dinner You never take me out to dinner You never bring me flowers Danny Simon wrote a partial first draft of the play but then handed over the idea to Neil 1 However in the Mel Brooks biography It s Good to Be the King author James Robert Parish claims that the play came about after Simon observed Brooks in a separation from his first wife living with writer Speed Vogel for three months Vogel later wrote that Brooks had insomnia a brushstroke of paranoia and a blood sugar problem that kept us a scintilla away from insanity Boston tryout Edit Simon credited Boston critic Elliot Norton with helping him develop the final act of the play 2 Norton practiced drama criticism when the relationship between the regional critic and playwrights whose shows were undergoing tryouts in their towns were not as adversarial as they were to become Appearing on the public television show Elliot Norton Reviews during Simon s conversation with the critic Norton said that the play went flat in its final act 3 As it appeared originally at Boston s Colonial Theatre the characters the Pigeon Sisters did not appear in the final act 4 Simon told The Boston Globe He invited one of the stars and the writer He loved the play and gave it a wonderful review but he said the third act was lacking something On the show he said You know who I missed in the third act was the Pigeon Sisters and it was like a light bulb went off in my head It made an enormous difference in the play I rewrote it and it worked very well I was so grateful to Elliot Elliot had such a keen eye I don t know if he saved the play or not but he made it a bigger success 5 Plot overview EditFelix Ungar a neurotic neat freak news writer a photographer in the television series is thrown out by his wife and moves in with his friend Oscar Madison a slovenly sportswriter Despite Oscar s problems careless spending excessive gambling a poorly kept house filled with spoiled food he seems to enjoy life Felix however seems utterly incapable of enjoying anything and only finds purpose in pointing out his own and other people s mistakes and foibles Even when he tries to do so in a gentle and constructive way his corrections and suggestions prove extremely annoying to those around him Oscar his closest friend feels compelled to throw him out after only a brief time together though he quickly realizes that Felix has had a positive effect on him The play and the film both spell Felix s name Ungar while the television series spells it Unger Felix and the Pigeon Sisters Characters EditFelix Ungar A fastidious hypochondriac news writer whose marriage is ending Oscar Madison A slovenly recently divorced sportswriter and Felix s best friend Murray A NYPD policeman one of Felix s and Oscar s poker buddies Speed One of the poker buddies Gruff and sarcastic often picking on Vinnie and Murray Vinnie One of the poker buddies Vinnie is mild mannered and henpecked making him an easy target for Speed s verbal barbs Roy One of the poker buddies Oscar s accountant Roy has a dry wit but is less acerbic than Speed Cecily and Gwendolyn Pigeon Felix s and Oscar s giggly upstairs neighbors a pair of English sisters The former is a divorcee the latter a widow Productions Edit Walter Matthau and Art Carney in the 1965 production The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on March 10 1965 and transferred to the Eugene O Neill Theatre where it closed on July 2 1967 after 964 performances and two previews Directed by Mike Nichols the cast starred Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison and Art Carney as Felix Ungar 6 The production gained Tony Awards for Walter Matthau Best Actor Play Best Author Play Best Direction of a Play and Best Scenic Design Oliver Smith and was nominated for Best Play 6 Matthau was replaced with Jack Klugman in November 1965 and then Pat Hingle in February 1966 6 Carney was replaced with Eddie Bracken in October 1965 6 and later Paul Dooley 7 Stage revivals Edit In 1968 James Wheaton directed an all black version of the show at the Ebony Showcase Theatre in Los Angeles The production starred Nick Stewart and Morris Erby The cast also included Larry McCormick in his acting debut 8 In 1970 the McMaster Shakespearean Players performed The Odd Couple with Martin Short as Felix Eugene Levy as Oscar and Dave Thomas as Murray all three actors would later find fame as cast members of SCTV In 1989 Ronald Harwood directed a production at the Royal Exchange Manchester with Derek Griffiths as Oscar and Sam Kelly as Felix In 1994 a version of the play moved to The Kings Theatre Glasgow and toured Scotland starring Gerard Kelly as Felix Craig Ferguson as Oscar and Kate Anthony as Gwendolyn Pigeon Kelly reprised the role of Felix at the 2002 Edinburgh Fringe opposite Andy Gray In 1996 Klugman and Tony Randall reprised their roles from the TV series for a three month run at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket London 9 The production was an effort to raise money to support Randall s National Actors Theatre Klugman had previously played Oscar in London opposite Victor Spinetti as Felix In a 1997 issue of Premiere magazine Billy Crystal and Robin Williams announced a possible stage revival in anticipation of success of their film Fathers Day 1997 When that film failed at the box office the Crystal Williams revival was abandoned Also in 1997 a tour of the US and Canada was mounted by Troupe America and Lake Pepin Players starring Jamie Farr as Oscar William Christopher as Felix and William Richard Rogers as Murray The production was directed by Curt Wollan In 2001 Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak and Hawaii TV news anchor Joe Moore Sajak s Vietnam roommate and close friend played Felix and Oscar at the Hawaii Theatre Center as a benefit for Hawaii s Manoa Valley Theater In 2002 Simon wrote an updated version of The Odd Couple titled Oscar and Felix A New Look at the Odd Couple This version incorporated updated references and elements into the original storyline This production ran at the Geffen Playhouse Los Angeles from June 2002 to July 21 2002 with a cast that starred Gregory Jbara Vinnie John Larroquette Oscar Joe Regalbuto Felix and Maria Conchita Alonso Ynes and was directed by Peter Bonerz 10 A revival of the original version opened on Broadway at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 27 2005 and closed on June 4 2006 after 249 performances Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane played Felix and Oscar respectively 11 12 Due to illness Lane was replaced for three performances in January 2006 by Brad Garrett who played Murray earlier in the same production 13 In August 2005 British comedians Bill Bailey and Alan Davies played Oscar and Felix at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival directed by Guy Masterson which was the hit of the festival 14 A reading featuring Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup was staged at the Cherry Lane Theatre on January 9 2011 15 A Venezuelan production appeared at the Trasnocho Cultural Theater in 2009 It was Directed by Armando Alvarez and featured Armando Cabrera Oscar Luigi Sciamanna Felix Juan Carlos Ogando Richard Alezander Slorzano Murray Alexandra Malave Clementina and Stephanie Cardone Cecilia The all female Takarazuka Revue Company performed the show under the title Okashi na Futari おかしな二人 in September 2011 in Takarazuka Japan It starred Yu Todoroki as Oscar and Misa Noeru as Felix 16 In 2011 Cezary Zak and Artur Barcis popular actors from the Polish hit TV series Ranczo performed as Oscar and Felix in Dziwna Para a Polish rendition of The Odd Couple The play was performed in the U S and in Toronto Canada and received good reviews In 2016 Australian comedians Shaun Micallef and Francis Greenslade starred as Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison in a version of the play directed by Peter Houghton The play was performed at Southbank Theatre Melbourne from November 5 to December 22 2016 and received positive reviews Female version EditIn 1985 Neil Simon revised The Odd Couple for a female cast The Female Odd Couple was based on the same story line and same lead characters now called Florence Ungar and Olive Madison The poker game became Trivial Pursuit with their friends becoming the girlfriends Mikey Sylvie Vera and Renee The English born Pigeon sisters became the Spanish born Costazuela brothers Manolo and Jesus The Female Odd Couple opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 11 1985 and closed on February 23 1986 after 295 performances and nine previews Directed by Gene Saks responsible for the 1968 film version the leads were Sally Struthers as Florence Felix and Rita Moreno as Olive Oscar respectively with Lewis J Stadlen and Tony Shalhoub in his Broadway debut as the Costazuela brothers Rita was later replaced by Brenda Vaccaro Sally Struthers indicated on Gilbert Gottfried s Amazing Colossal Podcast that Rita was very difficult to work with 17 18 A London production of this version ran at the Apollo Theatre in 2001 and starred Paula Wilcox Florence and Jenny Seagrove Olive 19 20 21 Translated into Spanish as La extrana pareja the female version opened in Madrid in 2017 Directed by Andres Rus the leads were Susana Hernaiz Olga Olive and Elda Garcia Flora Florence in the main roles 22 Film and TV adaptations EditNeil Simon sold film and TV rights to Paramount Pictures in 1967 Paramount produced two theatrical films three live action TV series and an animated series based upon the play 1968 film Edit Main article The Odd Couple film In 1968 The Odd Couple was made into a highly successful film starring Jack Lemmon as Felix and Walter Matthau reprising their roles from the play Much of the script from the play is the same although the setting is expanded instead of taking place entirely in Oscar s apartment some scenes take place at various locations in New York The film was also written by Simon who was nominated for an Academy Award and was directed by Gene Saks In 1998 Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau reprised their roles for the film sequel The Odd Couple II produced by Neil Simon 1970 1975 ABC sitcom Edit Main article The Odd Couple 1970 TV series The success of the film was the basis for the 1970 75 ABC television sitcom starring Tony Randall as Felix and Jack Klugman as Oscar Klugman was familiar with the role as he had replaced Walter Matthau in the original Broadway run Neil Simon originally disapproved of this adaptation but by the series final season he reassessed the show positively to the point of appearing in a cameo role Randall and Klugman also reunited in 1993 for a made for TV reunion film based upon the series The Odd Couple Together Again The movie was initially broadcast on CBS on September 24 1993 Robert Klane was the writer and director with a cast that included Barbara Barrie as Felix s wife Penny Marshall as Myrna and Dick Van Patten Jack Klugman s real life throat cancer surgery was written into the script when Felix Tony Randall stays with Oscar and helps with his rehabilitation 23 1975 ABC cartoon Edit Main article The Oddball Couple In the fall of 1975 ABC aired a cartoon version of the play entitled The Oddball Couple produced by Paramount and DePatie Freleng Enterprises The roles were played by a neat cat named Spiffy and a sloppy dog named Fleabag Unlike every live action incarnation of Neil Simon s work the pair s jobs were reversed The neat cat was a writer while the sloppy dog was a photographer 1982 1983 ABC sitcom Edit Main article The New Odd Couple In 1982 ABC aired a new version of the series entitled The New Odd Couple Produced by Garry Marshall the premise of the new version has two black actors Ron Glass as Felix and Demond Wilson as Oscar The New York Times reviewer noted What may be surprising is how little the spine of the show has changed The dialogue has been updated a little but the plots are essentially the same The New Odd Couple bounces along nicely It adds nothing new to the craft of situation comedy but it does provide employment and a good showcase for talented black actors who generally don t have an easy time of it on television these days 24 This new version was not successful and was canceled after just 13 episodes 2015 CBS sitcom Edit Main article The Odd Couple 2015 TV series Another adaptation again called The Odd Couple was a multi camera comedy that ran for three seasons on CBS from 2015 to 2017 The series starred Matthew Perry as Oscar and Thomas Lennon as Felix it was a pet project for Perry who also served as the show s co developer co executive producer and co writer 25 The show also featured Wendell Pierce as Teddy Oscar s agent Yvette Nicole Brown as Dani Oscar s assistant Dave Foley as Roy a holdover from the original play and Leslie Bibb and Lindsay Sloane as Casey and Emily taking over for the Pigeon sisters 26 27 28 29 30 References Edit Bernstein Adam July 28 2005 TV Comedy Writer Danny Simon Dies The Washington Post Archived August 27 2018 at the Wayback Machine ISSN 0190 8286 OCLC 2269358 ProQuest 409810919 Simonson Robert Elliot Norton Influential Boston Theatre Critic Dead at 100 21 Jul 2003 Playbill Archived from the original on 1 February 2014 Retrieved 25 January 2014 Collier Jay One of the Deans of Theater Criticism Elliot Norton Exits the Stage WGBH Alumni Pioneers in Broadcasting Retrieved 25 January 2014 Elliot Norton 100 Boston Theater Critic Wrote 6 000 Reviews Passings Los Angeles Times 23 July 2003 eISSN 2165 1736 ISSN 0458 3035 OCLC 3638237 Archived from the original on 23 July 2003 Retrieved 25 January 2014 Siegel Ed 21 July 2003 Elliot Norton 100 legendary critic of American theater Boston Globe Retrieved 25 January 2014 a b c d The Odd Couple Internet Broadway database accessed April 12 2012 Paul Dooley biography Movies yahoo com Negro version of Odd Couple set Los Angeles Times 21 May 1968 p 64 eISSN 2165 1736 ISSN 0458 3035 OCLC 3638237 Retrieved 11 Sep 2017 Scroll down to read a snippet Larry McCormick KGFJ disc jockey will make his acting debut in the show Financial Times review of the 1996 London production Compulink co uk 1996 06 26 Retrieved 2017 05 16 Oxman Steven Legit Reviews Oscar and Felix A New Look at The Odd Couple Variety webcache June 21 2002 The Odd Couple 2005 Internet Broadway Database accessed April 12 2012 Simonson Robert Together Again Lane and Broderick Open in The Odd Couple playbill com October 27 2005 Simonson Robert Brad Garrett Steps in for Ailing Lane in Odd Couple playbill com January 2006 Daoust Phil 8 August 2005 The Odd Couple The Guardian Retrieved 19 May 2018 The Odd Couple Reading with Ethan Hawke Billy Crudup Julia Stiles Presented Jan 9 Archived 2011 01 11 at the Wayback Machine playbill com Takarazuka Revue おかしな二人 Archived 2011 09 01 at the Wayback Machine The Odd Couple 1985 Internet Broadway Database accessed April 12 2012 Kerr Walter Stage View Is This Couple Too Odd or Not Odd Enough The New York Times June 23 1985 Ian Shuttleworth 2001 04 23 Review of The Female Odd Couple Cix co uk Retrieved 2017 05 16 Review of The Female Odd Couple Archived 2011 06 16 at the Wayback Machine London Theatre Guide archive The Female Odd Couple Londontheatre co uk 2001 04 24 Retrieved 2017 05 16 LA EXTRANA PAREJA SUSANA HERNAIZ Y ELDA GARCIA SE TIRAN LOS TRASTOS A LA CABEZA ENTRE RISAS Y CARCAJADAS 21 November 2017 Voros Drew The Odd Couple Fri 24 9 11 p m CBS Daily Variety September 24 1993 no page number O Connor John J New Odd Couple Chastity Gulch The New York Times October 29 1982 Section C p 26 Andreeva Nellie May 14 2014 CBS 2014 Schedule Monday Comedy Block Trimmed NCIS New Orleans Gets Post NCIS Slot NCIS LA To Monday CSI To Sunday The Amazing Race To Friday Deadline Hollywood Retrieved August 15 2014 TV com 2013 12 14 TV com TV com Retrieved 2017 05 16 Thomas Lennon is Felix to Matthew Perry s Oscar in CBS Odd Couple Pilot Variety Retrieved 2014 03 14 The Wire Actor Joins CBS Odd Couple Pilot Variety Retrieved 2014 03 15 Georgia King To Co Star In CBS Comedy Pilot The Odd Couple March 17 2014 Retrieved March 17 2014 Lindsay Sloane Joins CBS Pilot The Odd Couple March 22 2014 Retrieved March 22 2014 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Odd Couple play Wikiquote has quotations related to The Odd Couple The Odd Couple 1965 production at the Internet Broadway Database The Odd Couple 1985 production at the Internet Broadway Database The Odd Couple 2005 production at the Internet Broadway Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w 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