The Odd Couple (Female Version)
About the Play
Unger and Madison are at it again! Florence Unger and Olive Madison, that is, in Neil Simon’s hilarious contemporary comic classic: the female version of The Odd Couple. Instead of the poker party that begins the original version, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The Pidgeon sisters have been replaced by the two Constanzuela brothers. But the hilarity remains the same.
The Odd Couple (Female Version) is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals (Samuel French)
DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Neil Simon is the world’s most successful playwright, so it would be silly to attempt to say anything new or clever about his work. Jack Lemmon (the original Felix in the movie The Odd Couple) described him this way: “Neil has the ability to write characters — even the leading characters that we’re supposed to root for — that are absolutely flawed. They have foibles. They have faults. But, they are human beings. They are not all bad or all good; they are people we know.” I think we all know a Florence or an Olive, probably we know someone who is just like all of the characters in The Odd Couple (Female Version). I first encountered this play more than a decade ago. I laughed out loud when I read it, and I am still laughing out loud at these characters and their “foibles”. I am confident our audiences will laugh out loud too, and it is a great pleasure to bring this comic masterpiece to Hendry Hall. Thanks Bill, for the lovely memories and the inspiration! – Karen Golden
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome to North Vancouver Community Players’ production of The Odd Couple (Female Version). This is our first production of the new season. Please be sure to pick up a brochure for our upcoming 2016-2017 season. We know that you will love the choices. If you are not already a season ticket holder, now is the time to sign up so that you avoid missing one of our wonderful plays! We hope that you will leave Hendry Hall tonight having enjoyed a wonderful evening of live entertainment. If you would like to join into the fun on and off stage, please check out our website North Van Community Players under the section Volunteer. We would love to have you aboard! – Fran Heaney
| Character | Played by |
| Mickey | Colleen Brow |
| Sylvie | Kathryn Ferguson |
| Vera | Kristi Tayelor |
| Renee | Faith Amantea |
| Olive Madison | Mersiha Mušović |
| Florence Unger | Tamara Prescott |
| Manolo Costazuela | Chris Cope |
| Jesus Costazuela | Rory Stewart |
| Director | Karen Golden |
| Assistant Director | Karen Cresswell |
| Author | Neil Simon |
| Production Manager | Shirley Helgason |
| Stage Manager | Stephen Torrence |
| Assistant Stage Manager | Meghan McNeight, and Matthew Kelly |
| Set Design | Stephen Torrence |
| Set Construction Lead | Stephen Torrence |
| Set Construction | Bob Martin, Bill Howorth, Andrew Massil, Larry Dea, and Tynan Dea |
| Set Decorator Lead | Glynnis Brassil |
| Set Decorating Assistant | Robin Hilliard |
| Properties Lead | Peter Zednik |
| Properties Assistants | Mal Habkirk, and Shirley Helgason |
| Lighting Designer | Stephen Torrence |
| Sound Designers | Stephen Torrence, and Bill Howorth |
| Lighting and Sound Operator | Bill Howorth |
| Costumes Co-ordinator | Christine Egerton Ball |
| Costumes Assistant | Beatrijs Brett |
| Graphic Artist | Linda Sharp |
| Publicity and Program | Anne Marsh |
| Front-of-House Coordinator | Sandy Branning |
| Opening Night Catering/Decoration | Marie Brazier, and Sue Worrow |
| Box Office | Rosemary Hundal |
| Photographer | Damon Calderwood |
| Videographer | Paul Paterson |
| Original Performance Dates | September 9 to 24, 2016 |
| Venue | The Theatre at Hendry Hall, North Vancouver, BC |
| Production Length | 1 hour and 40 minutes |
| Production Style | Comedy |
| Special Thanks To | Jayden Lucas, Sarah Yeates, Gord Pope, Michael Morabito, Janet Donnelly |
| Karen Golden | Director – Karen is happy to direct once again at Hendry Hall, having directed Bea’s Niece (2012) as well as Three Viewings (2014). She has also performed in shows at Hendry Hall and many other venues throughout Greater Vancouver. She is grateful to the talented and congenial team of cast and crew who have toiled in the dark theatre through the summer to bring this hilarious play to life, and of course to the faithful patrons who make it all worthwhile. Special thanks must go to Stephen, of course, the best husband, work partner and stage manager ever!. |
| Faith Amantea | Renee – This is Faith’s first foray into the Vancouver theatre scene and she couldn’t be more excited. Hailing from Calgary where she participated in many productions, she left on a high note winning Best Supporting Actress for her last role there. She made the trek over the mountains and the grass is actually greener! This is her second time delving into this hilarious Neil Simon play, the first time as a Pigeon Sister in the male version, and now hopes you enjoy as this talented group brings the female version to life. |
| Colleen Brow | Mickey – Colleen’s credits include Vancouver’s Metro Theatre, UBC’s MUSSOC, and Theatre Under the Stars (all this before computers). She’s spent the last decade doing stand-up comedy, and acting in film shorts like Bitchcraft, where she played a disheveled, mousy soccer-mom (to prepare, she completely immersed herself in the role for 15 years.) She is slowly and painfully trying to write a one-person show about aging called Ten Tips for a Collapsed Uterus. By day, she teaches Language Arts to school-aged kids. |
| Chris Cope | Manolo Costazuela – This is Chris’s first show for NVCP. He is a graduate of Studio 58. Previous theatre work includes The Mousetrap for Chemainus Theatre, Our Town for Osimous Theatre, and Balm In Gilead at Studio 58. Some film work includes Tricks On The Dead and Behind The Hit: Saved By The Bell. Chris is also starting his own web series with some other actors called S.H.A.M. Therapy. |
| Kathryn Ferguson | Sylvie – Kathryn is delighted to join NVCP for this funny and charming production of The Odd Couple (Female Version). In recent years. she has performed with Deep Cove Stage Society, First Impressions Theatre, and SMP Dramatic Society. Kathryn is also an active member of Pandora’s Vox vocal ensemble. When she is not on stage, Kathryn can be found in the classroom teaching high school English. |
| Mersiha Mušović | Olive Madison – Mersiha is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the The Odd Couple (Female Version) team! Her recent credits include: Shady Business, Lascivious Something, and Rabbit Hole. Mersiha can next be seen in the web series which she has written and created called Baby Making Time. She would like to thank Maya and Sal for their support, as well as putting up with numerous characters and accents around the house. |
| Tamara Prescott | Florence Unger – Tamara is once again stepping into Florence’s shoes one of her favourite roles. She was last seen at Hendry Hall in Rabbit Hole which represented the North Shore Zone Festival at Mainstage in Kamloops in 2015. This production won Best Production and also received many other awards. Other plays that she had performed include God of Carnage (North Shore Zone Festival entry in 2014), Night Mother, Savage in Limbo. She is super excited to be working with this dedicated cast and crew. |
| Rory Stewart | Jesus Costazuela – Rory has been in love with the arts from way, way, way back. The most way-back that is possible. Having worked on a wide variety of projects, in front and behind the lens, this will be Rory’s first time acting out a play. Rory loves a good laugh, don’t we all? He is looking forward to sharing this funny story with you all, at the lovely Hendry Hall. That rhymes. |
| Kristi Tayelor | Vera – Kristi is thrilled to join such a talented cast. She graduated from Capilano University with a Diploma in Acting for Stage and Screen. Some of her most favourite roles include Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Judith in The Ash Girl (Exit 22), and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet (Exit 22) and most recently Mary Anne in Escape from Happiness (First Impressions Theatre). Kristi is grateful for the support of her cute-as-a-button boyfriend, Stephen, for being best leading man a girl could dream of. |