The Spotlight Community Theatre acting troupe will perform Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” this week.
Shows are scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Marquee on Main wedding and event center, 516 Bailey Road in Crystal City. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at spotlightjeffco.ludus.com.
Courtney Wisely, Spotlight’s executive director, said “The Odd Couple” is a joyous experience.
Eric Haynes of Arnold, standing, and Brian Ferris of Hillsboro rehearse for "The Odd Couple," which will run today, Nov. 7, through Sunday.
“A nonstop laugh fest,” she said. “This show is a classic example of worlds colliding. The acting is top notch and I am positive you will walk away grinning from ear to ear.”
The well-known play tells the story of two divorced men – tidy Felix and slobbish Oscar – living together in a New York apartment. First performed on Broadway in 1965, it was made into a motion picture and was adapted into an iconic television sitcom in the 1970s, followed by more adaptations on stage and TV.
Marji Peters, director of the Spotlight presentations of the play, said she feels people understand the dynamic of Felix and Oscar.
“I think the thing that makes ‘The Odd Couple’ so relatable is that we’ve all known or loved, or are Felix and Oscar,” said Peters, who lives in Festus.
She said the audience for the performances likely start at about 15 and as the material may be over the heads of those younger.
“I would say, probably, mid-teens,” Peters said. “There’s nothing bad in it. It’s just something adults would appreciate.”
The cast includes Eric Haynes, Arnold; Dale Michaelis, Barnhart; Leslie Hoff, Haylee Sitz, Lucky Perry and Charlie Labitska, Festus; and Brian Ferris, Hillsboro. Brandon Dougherty, Crystal City, and Buffy Parrish, French Village, are the understudies.
The nonprofit Spotlight Community Theatre organization is based in Festus but has members from around the county and beyond. Wisely founded the group in 2022.
For more information about Spotlight Community Theatre or its productions, visit Spotlight Community Theatre – Jeffco on Facebook or the organization’s website at spotlightjeffco.org.