Just after the stellar production of Grease – the most successful show in Stage West history – the theatre company follows up with an adaptation of another beloved classic. While technically a full cast, Niel Simon’s broadway hit The Odd Couple is really the story of two people, and thus the success of the show rests on the shoulders of the actors playing Oscar Madison and Felix Unger.

Fortunately, the natural chemistry between actors Don Sparks (Oscar) and Stephen Hair (Felix) makes Stage West’s current show an enjoyable one. It should come as no surprise, as both men are talented actors. Sparks is best known for his role as "Russell Spitzer" on LA Law and has appeared in many shows including Third Watch, The Practice, Law and Order and Cheers. Hair has been a member of Calgary’s arts community since 1973 and for the last 11 years has played "Scrooge" in Theatre Calgary’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Simon’s play inspired a hit 70’s TV series starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randell, and a motion picture starring Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. The play remains set in that era, as is evident by the prices quoted - $120 for half rent of an 8-room apartment in New York City, and 35 cents for cigarettes. Not anymore!

The Odd Couple is the story of Oscar Madison, a slovenly divorced bachelor whose life changes when his uptight friend Felix Unger moves in due to his own marital separation. Anyone who has ever co-habitated, whether with a partner or with a platonic roommate, will likely see parts of their own lives mirrored in the interaction between the two. The term "you two fight like an old married couple" is very accurate when describing this living situation. Things get even more interesting when the Pigeon sisters from England are thrown into the mix.

While the show revolves mostly around its two stars, the supporting cast must be given its due for adding to the show. Madison’s poker buddies consist of the whiny Vinnie (J. Sean Elliot), the sarcastic Speed (Harry & Martha Cohen award winner David LeReaney), tall cop Murray (Scott Maudsley, looking good in a uniform) and the mustachioed Roy (National Theatre School of Canada grad Frank Zotter). The scene involving a double date gone horribly awry with sisters Cecily (Chantal Perron, who loves Smarties) and Gwendolyn (Nicole Wassill, who was last seen as Janet in Stage West’s incredible production of The Rocky Horror Show) is one of the best segments of the show. Each cast member plays their role exceedingly well, standing out without taking away from the leads.

The play builds slowly, with the first half setting the storylines in place and establishing the characters, and the second half really picking up with more comedy and a faster pace.

As usual, Stage West outdid themselves with the fantastic buffet dinner served before the curtain went up. Along with the usual fare like assorted salads, sashimi, boiled shrimp, and roasted Alberta hip of beef, the menu for this show includes chicken enchiladas, bruschetta, broiled swordfish, chicken ranchero, and pork slouvaki. Make sure you grab some of the Peking duck as soon as you start, by the time we realized it was available at the back of the room it had all been snatched up! The desserts were spectacular this time, especially the delicious hot apple and blueberry crumb cake, and the caramel cake was to die for.

Stage West continues to provide a mix of great food and entertainment that makes it an ideal way to spend an evening. The Odd Couple runs until April 24, 2005.

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Stagewest | Theatre |