THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100503
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
``The Odd Couple'' is the perfect - or at least near-perfect - comedy.
It was a Broadway hit, a movie success and a television staple for years. Just about any theatrical group has tackled it with one degree of success of another.
It is a major success story for The Theatre of Dare, which is offering the Neil Simon gem through Sunday at Manteo Middle School.
The reasons for the success are twofold. The dialogue is wonderful, the stars are wonderful-wonderful.
The casting could not have been any better. Tom Charity rates a 10 as Oscar Madison, slob supreme; Michael Allen gets a 10-plus for his portrayal of Felix Unger, a flesh-and-blood version of Mr. Clean.
The differences between the men are nicely emphasized in a number of ways. During most of the two hours on stage, Oscar dresses like any self-respecting ``I-don't-give-a-damn'' slob, his fair-sized tummy well-emphasized via a tight T-shirt and a loose sports shirt.
Anything in his hand winds up getting tossed on the floor. He lolls around in his shorts - under, that is - smokes like a chimney and maintains a ``so-what'' attitude, a hero to the shoulder-shrug set.
Charity paints a perfect picture of the man who is the complete opposite of Felix Unger, his best friend.
Allen, as Unger, wears his little apron, dusts everything in sight, constantly reminds his buddy that cleanliness is next to godliness. Oscar could not care less.
Allen's portrayal is ultra-perfect. His attitude, manner of speaking, facial expressions, body movement would make Simon proud.
This is simple Simon. It is virtually plotless. It is the characterization, the idea that opposites attract, that has made ``The Odd Couple'' such a successful theatrical staple.
The playwright, beautifully aided and abetted by the Theatre of Dare performers, is the combination that make this a must-see for anyone who enjoys an evening of continuous laughter.
Helping the cause are Oscar and Felix's cigar-chomping, far-left-of-intellectual, poker-playing buddies. These card players are cards, thanks to good portrayals by Mark Baker, Mike Hunter and Eric Hause, with an extra nod to Pete Grana as Murray the Cop.
Finally, there are Kathy Morrison and Jonta Franklin as Gwendolyn and Cicely Pidgeon. Their portrayals of the ditzy British sisters are good, although a little more craziness, a little more pizazz, is called for, especially by Cicely.
A nice touch is the theme from the television show, used as an introduction to each of the three acts.
But this Theatre of Dare production is the Charity-Allen show. Charity, as Oscar, exasperates; Allen, as Felix, pouts.
They argue constantly, fight a little, but, to no one's surprise, they remain best of friends. So, the moral of the story is - friendship above all.
And, above all, make a point to see this comedic gem. ``The Odd Couple'' switches from funny to very funny to hilarious. ILLUSTRATION: THEATER REVIEW
WHAT: Neil Simon's ``The Odd Couple.''
WHEN: 8 tonight through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Manteo Middle School.
by CNB