TOM TITUS -- Theater Review

It’s probably the most familiar comedy in the English language, having

enjoyed success on stage, on the screen and as a television series. But

that doesn’t stop innumerable community theaters from periodically

reviving Neil Simon’s 40-year-old play “The Odd Couple.” The reason is

simple: It’s also one of the funniest.

The latest venue for this venerable gem of a comedy is the Huntington

Beach Playhouse, where a strong cast under the keen directorial eye of

Gregory Cohen breathes new life into this hardy senior citizen. Cohen --

whose production of another Simon play, “Rumors,” set a lofty standard as

the new theater’s opener seven years ago -- has long enjoyed a reputation

as a premium tickler of the funny bone, and this show is definitely in

the proper hands.

Everybody, but everybody, knows the story by now: “divorced, broke and

sloppy” sportswriter Oscar Madison takes his poker-playing buddy Felix

Ungar, the latest casualty on the marital battlefield, under his wing and

regrets the gesture almost immediately. Opposites may attract, but it’s

much more fun when they repel, and the slovenly Oscar is hardly the ideal

companion for the male Martha Stewart represented by Felix. Blanche and

Stanley were better matched in “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

The blunt, corpulent Oscar generally is played in his 40s, but Anthony

Lazalde’s relative youth doesn’t impair his forceful performance. Lazalde

renders a dynamic, blunt-edged characterization that commands the stage,

as well it should.

His opposite number is superbly enacted by Bill Peters, a slightly

built, fragile Felix who’s at his funniest when attempting to assert

himself. Peters presents his character as a walking candidate for an

infirmary or a psychiatric ward -- or both. His weepy scene with the

guys’ prospective dinner dates is hilarious.

Of the four other poker players, Christopher Guyton dominates both

physically and dramatically as Murray, the cop. Paul L. Arnold is a

chronically complaining Speed; Landon Wright chokes effectively as the

air-deprived Roy; and Jon Carlos Moreno is a youngish clock-watching

Vinnie, often overshadowed by the others.

The “coo coo Pigeon sisters,” a pair of giggly, miniskirted Brits

engaged as double dates, are deliciously interpreted by Stephanie Schultz

and Lori White. Both actresses enrich their roles with a mildly

suggestive, off-center charm that works exceedingly well.

Mickey England’s large apartment setting has the proper lived-in look,

and Ron Wyand’s sound effects -- especially the traffic noises outside --

lend an authentic emphasis. Heather Grindstaff’s lighting and the scenic

work of Helen Fearon and Vera Zuckett all contribute to the pleasing

effect.

One minor complaint: It may be too much to ask for the spilled potato

chips to be removed from the floor between scenes one and two, but when

the Pigeon sisters arrive after intermission, the floor should be

spotless. Felix Ungar would never have allowed this mess to remain.

“The Odd Couple” may well be the most often-produced play in America

over the last four decades, and productions such as Huntington Beach’s

will insure its continuation over the next four.

FYI BOX

WHAT: “The Odd Couple”

WHERE: Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington

Beach

WHEN: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. until

June 24

COST: $7 to $15

PHONE: (714) 375-0696