This is the first Neil Simon show to be staged by Maine’s Shakespearean theater.

MONMOUTH – The Theater at Monmouth, the Shakespearean Theater of Maine, will open its 35th anniversary season with its first Neil Simon production. The troupe has chosen a comic favorite of film, television and theater, “The Odd Couple.”

Monmouth regulars, Bill Van Horn and Mark S. Cartier, will play Oscar Madison and Felix Unger.

“Oscar and Felix are roles that Bill and Mark were truly born to play. Bill is as gregarious and rumpled as Mark is meticulous and proper.

Audience members who are familiar with the story will be delighted to find these actors are naturals in these roles,” said The Theater at Monmouth Producing Director David Greenham.

“The Odd Couple” was an instant hit when it premiered on Broadway in 1965 starring Walter Matthau as Oscar and Art Carney as Felix, who also starred in the 1968 film.

The television show featuring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall ran for five seasons beginning in 1970, the same year that The Theater at Monmouth opened.

“It’s a wonderful and funny play,” Greenham said, noting that it was inspired by the experiences of Neil Simon’s divorced brother, Danny, who was rooming with a divorced friend in order to cut expenses and save for alimony. When the roommates began to get on each other’s nerves, the situation became the premise for the play.

“With the rich characters and fun twists of the play, ‘The Odd Couple’ is sure to be a crowd pleaser,” Greenham said.

“The Odd Couple” opens May 14 and runs through May 22 for eight performances only. Evening performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 14; Thursday, May 20; Friday, May 21; and Saturday, May 22. Matinees will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15; Sunday, May 16; Wednesday, May 19; and Saturday, May 22.

“The Odd Couple” will be performed onstage at historic Cumston Hall.

In the last several years, this Victorian style opera house has undergone a $1.8 million revitalization, including an addition, air conditioning, an elevator, new restrooms and new theater seats. Currently, a group of artists and craftsman are working to restore and renew the theater’s original murals and artwork. More information, including directions, is at www.theateratmonmouth.org

Tickets: 18 for general admission, $14 for seniors and students. For tickets, call the box office at (207) 933-9999.

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