Emporia State University’s 64th season of Summer Theatre continues June 27-30 with “The Odd Couple” by Neil Simon.
Simon’s classic comedy opens in Oscar Madison’s (Harriel Mack, Newton) slovenly apartment at his weekly poker game. Felix Unger (Lucas Coble, Olpe) arrives late and depressed. Felix and his wife have recently separated, and he is trying to hold it together. But, he has nowhere to go, so Oscar invites him to move in with him. Felix’s love of order seems the perfect answer to Oscar’s messy house, careless spending and gambling. But soon Felix’s fussiness and hypochondria prove extremely annoying and the two polar-opposite friends have to figure out how to reconcile their differences.
The show is under the direction of Emporia State alum Fran Opheim (BSE, 2018). Another future educator, Elizabeth Higbee, is the assistant director.
The rest of the acting company includes Mollie McClanahan (Topeka) and Emily Rayson (Ottawa) as the Pigeon sisters. Oscar’s poker buddies are played by Mason Nicks (Leavenworth) as Speed, Drew Keller (Ellis) as Roy, Cameron Webb (Shawnee) as Vinnie and Hewleek McKoy (Olathe) is Murray the cop. Tyler Lang (Wichita) is the Production Stage Manager and Elizabeth Tate (Sand Spring, OK), is the Assistant Stage Manager. Abbi Timmermeyer (Andover) is the propmaster and also serves as House Manager for the production.
Period costumes from the 1960s are designed by scenographer Rick Rasmussen celebrating his 25th season with the company this season. Rasmussen also designed the set for the production. Amanda Dura is the costume coordinator and manages the costume crew that includes Ben Hill (North Platte, Nebraska), Zulema Renteria (Emporia), Dayne Sabatos (Burlington) and Isabelle Nelson (Olathe). Chris Lohkamp is the technical director and manages the scene shop. The scenery crew includes Miranda Kimble (Mullinville), Weiqi Meng (Beijing, China), Jared Steele (Garden City), and Cameron White (Meriden)
“The Odd Couple” runs Wednesday through Saturday, June 27-30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall at Emporia State University. Tickets cost $12 (adults), $10 (seniors) and $5 (students) and are available from the Memorial Union Ticket Office. Tickets are also available online at tickets.emporia.edu or by calling 620-341-6378.