THE ODD COUPLE Opens At The Norris Theatre 1/28

One of the most famous stage comedies in American history, Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," comes to the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, January 28 - February 13. The hit comedy about mismatched roommates premiered on Broadway over 40 years ago, became an instant success, and won the 1965 Tony Award for Best Play.

"The Odd Couple" tells the story of Felix Ungar, a neurotic, neat freak news writer in the midst of a failing marriage, who moves in with his messy, poker playing pal, Oscar Madison. In an attempt to liberate his troubled friend from the confines of marriage, Oscar plans a double date for him and Felix. However, silly competition and comedic mayhem combine to change the course of their friendship.

After its long run on Broadway, "The Odd Couple" was turned into a successful film starring Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau, and then became a popular television series which ran for five seasons. As a result, the characters of Oscar Madison and Felix Unger have become a part of American culture - their very names becoming identifiable terms for excessive sloppiness and neatness.

Neil Simon is America's most prolific and popular playwright. He has written 28 plays and has had more hits in the theater than any other American playwright. Simon has won four Tony Awards, two Emmys, numerous Screen Writers Guild Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for drama. He has been showered with more Academy Award and Tony

Award nominations than any other writer, and is the only playwright to have four Broadway productions running simultaneously. Some of Neil Simon's best-known plays include, "Plaza Suite," "The Out of Towners," "Rumors," "Lost in Yonkers" and "The Goodbye Girl."

"In these challenging times, people want to have fun when they go see a play, and this show is definitely fun," says Norris Artistic Director James Gruessing. "Our audiences have let us know they like laughter, and that is exactly what they will get with ‘The Odd Couple.'"

The Norris production stars equity actors Nick Santa Maria as Oscar Madison and Larry Raben as Felix Ungar. The cast also includes Sara J. Stuckey (Gwendolyn Pigeon), Rachel Scott (Cicely Pigeon), David Diestel (Roy), Jason Hammond (Vinnie), Jason Sluyter (Murray), and Craig Mitchell (Speed). The show is directed and produced by James Gruessing.

Performance dates for "The Odd Couple" are January 28-30, February 4-6 and 11-13, with 8 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $38, and discounted group sales tickets are available at ext. 256. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 310-544-0403 or visit www.norriscenter.com. Free, covered parking is available behind the theatre. The facility is wheelchair accessible and assisted listening devices are provided upon request. The Norris Theatre is located at 27570 Norris Center Drive (formerly Crossfield) in Rolling Hills Estates.

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