The Grey Wellington Theatre Guild is performing The Odd Couple on stage this spring.
But, this time, it’s Neil Simon’s female version of the play about mismatched roommates who strain a long-time friendship when they are compelled to share a domicile.
Veteran Patrick C. Smith thinks the female version of Simon’s classic comedy is even funnier than the original.
Smith is directing the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild’s spring production, which bends the gender and provides a fresh twist on a story that has become familiar to audiences through stage and screen productions, as well as long-running television series.
The play stars Harriston resident Annilene McRobb as Olive Madison, and Diane Montgomery, of Durham, as Florence Unger.
Montgomery’s previous stage experience includes There Goes The Bride, What the Butler Saw, Watch It Sailor, Run for Your Wife, and Between the Teeth. Also a playwright, Montgomergy’s published work Girls’ Night Out was performed at the Inner Stage Theatre, in Guelph.
McRobb’s previous credits, all with the GWTG, include: Belles, Hot Property, Beside Yourself, and On Golden Pond.
The cast also includes Ginny Hawkrigg-Williams, of Durham; Amber McCraney, of Listowel; Mary Ellen van den Broek, of Mount Forest; Angela Boersma, of Ayton; Richard Jaunzemis, of Harriston and Scott Cooper, of Drayton.
The Odd Couple, female version opens April 30 and runs May 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30pm (Note: new time) , with matinees on May 2 and 9 at 2pm.
Tickets are $15. For more information, or Visa or Mastercard sales, call the box office at 519 338-2778. Tickets are also available at Harriston Home Hardware;
Blooms ’n’ Things, Palmerston; Garrett’s Hardware, Clifford; Pandora’s Pantry, Listowel and Shoppers Drug Mart, Mount Forest.
Grand talent competition
The GWTG is seeking the region’s top amateur performers to compete in A Grand Talent competition this spring.
Amateur acts of all types and ages are eligible to compete for $1,000 in prize money, with the first place winner taking home $500.
Second prize is $300, while the third prize winner will receive $200.
Auditions will be held at the Harriston Town Hall Theatre on May 12, 13 and 14, beginning at 7:30pm. Auditions must be booked in advance by calling (519) 338-3481.
Limited audition space will be booked on a first-come-first serve basis. Finalists, as selected by a panel of judges, will participate in the “Grand” final competition on June 12, 2010.
Tickets for the Grand final competition are available at $15 by calling the box office at 519-338-2778, or at Harriston Home Hardware.
