Real-Life ‘Odd Couple’ Shine in Theatre Palisades Production

By LILA SEIDMAN | Reporter

On Friday night Theatre Palisades was transformed into New York’s Upper West Side of 1965. Director Jonathan Fahn’s aesthetically vintage production of Neil Simon’s classic “The Odd Couple” treated a full house to ample suspenders, mid-century price references and, of course, the quintessential mismatched duo.

It’s no surprise that the play’s antithetical personages, easy-going slob Oscar Madison and neat-freak neurotic Felix Ungar, were executed effortlessly by Michael Sorich and Scott Gardner, respectively. Fahn explained that directing the pair was easy, since “they are the real-life odd couple.”

During rehearsals, Sorich bombasted and mussed up the space, while Gardner continually straightened up.

They’ve both come full circle. Sorich played Madison at Moreno Valley High School in Riverside County nearly 40 years ago to the day. “I’ve finally grown into the role,” he told the Palisadian-Post on opening night. “Instead of being a 17-year-old slob, I’m a 58 year old slob. It worked out a lot better.”

On stage, decked out in a Hawaiian shirt and Converse shoes, Sorich looked perfectly at home traipsing amidst pizza boxes and other detritus in Act I—before Ungar moves in and cleans up.

Gardner grew up in Pacific Palisades, attended Pali High and performed in his very first show, “Rebecca,” at Theatre Palisades 25 years ago. (Current “Odd Couple” co-producer Sherry Coon directed him.) A year later they staged “The Odd Couple,” and he wanted badly to play Felix. He was too young to make the cut.

Gardner recently returned to LA after a 20-year stint on the East Coast and just happened to catch wind of the audition.

He was shocked to land his dream role even though he admitted, “A lot of people will tell you that I’m very much like Felix, so I didn’t have to try too hard.”

The production exacerbated Gardner’s “inner Felix.” He decided to incorporate Felix-isms into his daily life: he cleaned and cleaned and cleaned—and gave his neuroses free range.

“It’s a little sad because I’ve had backaches, I’ve had sinus trouble,” he said. “I literally have become Felix Ungar.” In the play, his voice and tone eerily mirrors Tony Randall, who played Ungar in the TV show.

But as Sorich noted, “it was a real ensemble piece.” The natural born “Odd Couple” was well supported by a wonderfully kooky cast of characters.

Poker buddies, high-strung accountant Roy (Mark Fields Davidson), concerned cop Murray (Bob Grochau), cool cat Speed (Stevie Johnson) and milquetoast Vinnie (Stephen Holland), riled up audience members’ funny bones. The Pigeon sisters (Samantha Lebreque and Star Calvet) brought their own brandy of “clucky” levity.

Director Fahn insisted that the audience also “performed” on point.

He explained, “The audience is always the missing factor that we need for the show.”

“The Odd Couple” will run until Oct. 9. For tickets and additional information, visit theatrepalisades.org.