THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080497
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Here they come - Slob and Snob - ``The Odd Couple.''
The sloppy one, Oscar Madison, is portrayed by grimy Tom Charity, the Dixie-105 morning guy. Mr. Clean, Felix Unger, is played by Michael Allen, Manteo High School's impeccable English and drama instructor.
These stage vets are the stars of Neil Simon's classic play, ``The Odd Couple.'' This comedic study of disparateness will be presented by Theatre of Dare Wednesday through Sunday at Manteo Middle School.
Oscar is a sports writer, so he has to be, at least, semi-literate. Charity just about fits.
``I flunked out of West Point,'' said the disc jockey, blaming the study of nuclear physics and thermal energy on his early failure.
Charity, who served in Vietnam and was awarded two purple hearts, did a bit better at Providence College studying political science and international relations.
``A guaranteed C-plus,'' he said, ``if you can argue reasonably.''
He argues a great deal in ``The Odd Couple,'' constantly parrying with Allen. Just about every argument, every line, comes with guaranteed laughs as well.
``If you just stood there and read the script,'' Charity said, ``people would fall down laughing.''
Then, they would ask for their money back.
But Charity is a proven performer. It's a good thing, since he and Oscar have little in common - ``besides sloppy,'' said the actor.
``He's a highly paid sports writer and I'm a low paid jock,'' said the man who has worked at a dozen radio stations around the country, including most of those in the Outer Banks.
The 51-year-old Charity got his first taste of acting while in high school. ``My favorite part was the master-of-ceremonies in `Cabaret,' '' the New Jersey native said. ``I did that in Florida.''
Allen's goal is New York.
``I'm going there in late August to see if I can make it big,'' Allen said. ``If I'm going to make it big, it can't be in a small area. I have to make it big big. I'll give myself three years. If nothing happens, I'll move out of there. But failure is not in the plans. I think I can make it - blind faith. I'm a talented actor.''
Allen also has a good background. The Asheville native has a degree in education and dramatic arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Allen has the education - but lacks the real life experience - for portraying Felix.
``I'm 22 years old,'' he said. ``So, it's hard for me to talk about being married 22 years.''
In the play, divorce is what brings Oscar and Felix together. The men share an apartment while they try to work out their marital mishaps. Along the way, they spend time with some poker playing buddies and the Pigeon Sisters, a couple of balmy Britishers.
``I really want people to see this show. It's a lot of fun,'' Allen said. ``Each rehearsal brings out new things about it.'' by CNB