Veteran actors score again with original ‘Odd Couple’

BY BARBARA TRAININ BLANK 
FOR THE PATRIOT-NEWS

No one has been particularly in the mood for comedy lately, but maybe that’s why everyone needs it. And what better vehicle than one of the tried-and-true specimens of the genre, Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple"?

The trials and tribulations of two vastly different but equally difficult divorced men living together are well known to audiences from the movie version and the long-running TV series, as well as Simon’s reworking of the play for female protagonists. But if you’ve never caught the original, here’s your chance to correct that oversight.

What’s appealing about Theatre Harrisburg’s current production is that leads David M. Fisher Rick Voight, who performed the play together two decades ago at what was then Met Rep, make the roles their own instead of falling prey to the temptation imitating any of the great stars who had inhabited them.

And director Thomas G. Hotstetter has brought out the pathos under the play’s humor, a combination Neil Simon is so good at.

There’s a naturalness between Fisher, as the irascible, irresponsible slob Oscar Madison, and Voight, as the self-pitying, neatnik hypochondriac Felix Ungar. Fisher nicely underplays those qualities, so the explosion between the two men takes you more by surprise, even though you know it’s got to be coming.

Voight's strong performance rests less on Felix’s particular irritating traits and behaviors and more on the alternating self-love and hate that’s at the core of his character.

Lauri D. Rowley and Debbie Smith-Voight (Rick’s real-life wife) are hysterical as the Pigeon sisters, two giggly bimbos with fetching curves, hearts of gold and a wallop of maternal instinct.

Ed Costik and Christopher Michael McLamb are particularly fine as two of the quartet of poker player friends. But Dave Mishkin and Ron Walker also add to the fun as the necessary "nerd" in the group and the policeman who isn’t exactly resourceful, respectively.

The scenic design by Stephen Krempasky offers such nice touches as tacky paintings and a window air conditioner. In general, it’s soothing to be reminded of a calmer, earlier New York in which the only turmoil Is between married couples who are splitting, and feuding roommates.