Simply Simon

Starlight Dinner Theatre serves up ‘The Odd Couple’ as season opener

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When it came to selecting the season opener this year,the Starlight Dinner Theatre decided to do things a little differently:In December, the theater polled its patrons to find out what theywanted to see. 

Starlight founder and artistic director Linda Grangerdecided to kick off the season with the show the audience wanted themost — and the winner was Neil Simon’s venerable comedy, “The OddCouple.”

“The other two shows this season were not selected basedupon the survey,” Granger said. “However, we plan to open next seasonwith the Number Two choice on the survey.”

On the off chance you haven’t heard, “The Odd Couple” isabout a friendship between two men who are polar opposites and manageto push each other to their limits. It was the basis for two moviesstarring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, and inspired a popular TVseries in the 1970s, with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.  

Chris Klaver of Grand Ledge plays Felix Ungar, a neuroticneatnik and hypochondriac whose marriage is barely hanging by a thread.  JackDowd, a resident of Holt, plays Oscar Madison, an easygoing, divorcedsportswriter whose slovenly style tends to clash with Felix’s orderlylifestyle.  

(In a case of art imitating life, Dowd works in The Lansing State Journal’s sports department.) 

“What this group of actors has brought to the show — bothdrawing from their own personalities and their acting abilities — hasgreatly enhanced the show,” Granger says, adding that Klaver and Dowdhave great respect for each other that shows onstage.

Oscar’s four poker-playing buddies are played by DarrinFowler of Mason, Dan Pappas of Delta Township, Michael Erwin of EatonRapids and Bob Murrell of Lansing. Extra nuttiness is provided by theBritish sisters Cecily (Angela Dill of Lansing) and Gwendolyn Pigeon(Charlotte Ruppert).   

The pre-show dinner is provided by Mary’s HomestyleCatering. The menu includes turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes andgravy, green bean casserole and tossed salad.  Vegetarian options are available upon request when you make your reservation.

‘The Odd Couple’

Starlight Dinner Theatre

Waverly East Middle School, 3131 W. Michigan Ave., Lansing

Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., with theshow starting at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through March 18 $33for dinner and show; $28 for seniors and students with valid ID $15 forshow only

(517) 243-6040 

www.starlightdinnertheatre.com

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