Overview
Synopsis
Neil Simon’s classic comedy opens as a group of the guys are in the midst of their weekly poker game in the apartment of divorced sportswriter, Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it's no wonder that his wife left him. The apartment is smoke-filled, and the only thing Oscar can offer his guests is warm Coke and moldy sandwiches. The last to arrive is Felix Ungar, who has just been thrown out by his wife. Felix is depressed and seems suicidal, leading Oscar to invite Felix to be his roommate. However, as Felix takes on the domestic mantle in the apartment and proves just how difficult he is to live with, Oscar is driven to the edge of madness. Poker nights are no longer evenings of smoke, grubbiness, and blokey behavior; instead, the guys are waited on hand and foot by Felix. The final straw occurs when Felix refuses to follow through with a double-date Oscar has set up with the beautiful Pigeon sisters, who live in the same apartment block. The clean freak and the slob come to blows, and the ultimate ‘Odd Couple’ go their separate ways.
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Context
Neil Simon first premiered The Odd Couple in Boston, where theater critic, Elliot Norton, advised Simon to change the final act. Taking this criticism on board, the final, revised version of The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway in March 1965 and ran until July 1967 after 964 performances (and 2 previews). The production was directed by Mike Nichols and starred Walter Matthau as Oscar and Art Carney as Felix. Matthau went on to win the 1965 Tony Award for Best Actor for his performance, and
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Act One
In the smoke-filled, grubby apartment of Oscar Madison, Murray, Roy, Speed, and Vinnie are gathered together playing poker. Whilst shuffling and dealing at a very slow pace, Murray expresses his concern that Felix Ungar has not arrived as usual. As the men begin to argue about the game, Oscar enters, offering the men warm Coke and moldy sandwiches. The men chastise Oscar for not fixing his fridge and, after Oscar sprays beer all over the table, they settle back into the game.
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in The Odd Couple.
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher