The Odd Couple...

by Neil Simon
Jobsite Theater
Tampa, FL
February 3rd, 2011

Coined by many relationship experts far and wide is the widely accepted notion that opposites attract. Some people stay in the strangest of situations believing this simple yet dissertative ideal. Jobsite Theater yet again steps up to the plate and delivers with Neil Simon's Tony Award play The Odd Couple.

The Odd Couple tells the story of two divorced middle aged men living together in New York City and explores their differences amidst adjusting to cohabitation. Along with a loquacious round table of poker buddies and randy upstairs sisters, The Odd Couple provides laughter and engaging exposition from beginning to end.

Our story begins with the weekly poker game hosted by the messy and indifferent sportswriter Oscar Madison. Along with Murray, Roy, Speed and Vinnie, the group enjoys drinks and conversation while they wait for their last player Felix Ungar. The group receives a call from Felix's wife with deathly news about their marriage. Worried for his well being, the men devise a plan of consolation for Felix if and when he arrives. Once Felix arrives, the evening concludes with Oscar extending an invitation for his recently divorced friend to move in. After only three weeks of their dwelling, tensions rise as time only escalates their situation. Can Felix and Oscar settle their differences before they annul their arrangement?

Under the direction of Chris Holcom, at the helm of hits boom! and Night of the Living Dead, Jobsite's fresh take on a classic was in well abled hands. As if Jobsite went to a Felix Ungar convention and hand picked a carbon copy of the character himself, Paul J. Potenza delivers as the neurotic neat freak from start to finish. Balancing an act of downtrodden divorcee while contributing subtly comedic nuisances are no easy task over two hours. Well Done. Adding their voices along the play are Slake Counts, Jason Evans, Ward Smith and Michael C. McGreevy. I last saw McGreevy in Dead Man's Cell Phone and had zero tolerance for his delivery or presence, yet was humbly impressed with his no nonsense demeanor as Murray. I enjoyed watching his range as an actor. Bravo. Cheering up the stage for two short but important scenes are Katrina Stevenson and Summer Bohnenkamp-Jenkins as the Pigeon sisters. My honest opinion for the sisters was that their role was perfectly staged. Any more of them may have turned asinine, but clever playwriting kept it fresh. The anchor for this show was hands down Shawn Paonessa as Oscar Madison. Paonessa's prowess to convey apathy and compassion both in the first act was wonderfully executed. And just like everyone who doesn't consider themselves a "neat freak", Paonessa's comedic yet direct expressions convey everything we think. Congrats on another strong portrayal.

I found Jobsite's incarnation of Neil Simon's classic play to be on point, even five decades after the initail Broadway premiere. With updated language and modern references, any one going to see this play should enjoy the struggle of patience along with cleverly time comedic zingers. As I mentioned before, I enjoyed the range from actors I've seen before and as well as the classic convention of strong dialogue. The Odd Couple is presented solely in Oscar's living room, but I was never left asking to see anything else in the story. With dialogue as engaging as Simon's and the stellar execution of Jobsite's cast, The Odd Couple is surely on the short list of their best this year.

The Odd Couple plays through February 27th at the Shimberg Playhouse, nestled quietly in the Straz Center for Performing Arts. I received notice this show was held over before opening night, which suggests you should find tickets sooner rather than later. I tip my cap again to the Jobsite cast and crew.

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Music of the Post - jonny craig