The Odd Couple [ The Female Version ] A Theater Review

When I first heard about “The Odd Couple – The Female Version,”
legendary playwright Neil Simon’s reboot of his most famous show at a new venue,
I knew I had to attend.

Here, kicking off its inaugural production at a space dubbed the “Penny
Smith Theater” at 114 Cussewago Square, Meadville Community Theatre offered
attendees a new take on an old classic.

Directed by Joe Galbo “The Odd Couple – The Female Version” is Simon’s
updated version featuring the fairer sex.

One night sloppy, single gal Olive Madison (Susan Clark) and her Trivial
Pursuit-playing pals hear that their friend uptight, neatnik Florence Unger
(Bridget Pendolino) has been tossed out by her husband. Lost, dismayed and
potentially suicidal, Olive offers shelter to her friend-even though they’re polar
opposites when it comes to lifestyles. Throw into the mix two hunky Spanish
neighbors Manolo (Chris Franko) and Jesus (Jeremiah Saxton) for a double date
with hot-to-trot Olive and gloomy Florence and what could go wrong?

Right?

Clark and Pendolino play well off each other with the audience feeling
empathy or rooting for their characters at different times and stages. Their trivia-
night buddies Sylvie (P.J. Vogt), Mickey (Sarah Medvec), Renee (Vickie Zeigler)
and Vera (Barb Davis) offer support and advice to Olive as their Neil Simon-style
humor offers a fresh take on a faded classic.

How good was this version of “The Odd Couple?” In my opinion, better
than the original. I’d caught a producation of it during my college days during the
1990’s (Yikes! Where does times go?) and frankly wasn’t impressed. I found it
slow moving and well … lame. To this gal, it didn’t stand the test of time. Sorry, Neil.

The only negative thing about this show were the acoustics. The Penny
Smith Theater is situated in a large, restored brick-walled room with a high-
pitched ceiling and hard floors. While certainly attractive, I occasionally found
myself struggling to hear the actor’s dialogues and when I did, their voices often
had a speaking-in-a-cavern effect.

Nonetheless, MCT’s production of “The Odd Couple – The Female Version”
was a cute, fun way to start entertaining eager theatergoers at their new location!

See you in the balcony!

XOXO!

*** Thea Tah

The Odd Couple [The Female Version] continues through October 12. For
more information, visit www.mctbackstage.com

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