Betsey Cassell, left, and Abigail Wright, right, in “The Odd Couple. Female Version.
The play, “The Odd Couple,” Neil Simon’s classic comedy, premiered on Broadway in 1965 with Walter Matthau and Art Carney. The movie, in 1968, starred Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. The popular television series, with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, aired 1970 to 1975.
Neil Simon rewrote “The Odd Couple” in 1985 and transgendered the guys into gals with Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers in the leads. The weekly poker game became a game of trivial pursuit. The Pigeon Sisters became two brothers from Spain.
Slovenly Oscar became Olive, neatnik Felix became Flo.
In the current Viva show witty, snappy repartee and hilarious language misunderstandings display Neil Simon at his laugh-out-loud best. Award winning Jim Carver directs the Viva production.
Performances:
• Friday, May 3 at 7 pm
• Sat, May 4 & Sun, May 5 at 2pm
• Friday, May 10 at 7 pm
• Saturday, May 11 at 2pm
Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut Street (at 26th), Boulder. General admission, $15. Seniors and students, $12. No reserved seating. Tickets: thedairy.org or (303) 444-7328.