Were you one of the lucky seniors in high school that looked at their future Badger roommate on Facebook and shuddered with fear at what lay ahead? Or, better yet, did you arrive on campus, fresh-faced and ready to begin drinking (ahem, studying), only to realize that your dorm life was going to be a living hell? Enter, “The Female Odd Couple,” a comedic production that speaks to the hearts and minds of anyone who has ever had a bad roommate.
“The Female Odd Couple,” the latest production of the Undergraduate Theatre Association and the Jewish Theatre Project, is the story of two completely opposite roommates. The roommates are in their mid-30s, living in New York City in the 1980s and are a match made in hell.
Olive, incredibly messy and laid back, invites her recently divorced friend Florence to live with her in her flat. Florence, who is neat and tidy, doesn’t quite know what she’s getting herself into. Combined with their penchant for Trivial Pursuit games gone awry and double dating Spaniards, hilarity is bound to ensue.
The play hits close to home with the story, as well as the cast and crew.
“’The Female Odd Couple’ is a production that is completely run by undergrads, director, producer, entire cast, we’re all students,” Samantha Blank, who is theco-director of the show with Nicole Rudisill, said.
The unique body of students participating in the production has allowed for a collaborative and creative rehearsal atmosphere.
“I don’t plan everything out in rehearsal because I want the actors to be able to try things and explore their characters,” Blank said. “From that, my ideas come and they have great ideas we use sometimes. I like to do it collaboratively because it really fosters creativity in an energetic play like this.”
Hard work and creative flexibility has marked the production process, contributing to the light-hearted and entertaining feel of the play. However, for the cast and crew, it is by no means all fun and games. With a hiatus of two years on their shoulders, UTA is excited to get back on stage.
“This is the first full production UTA has done in about two years,” Blank said. “And this is a good play to perform because there are a lot of women in it. A lot of plays are lacking strong female characters.”
Besides getting more women on stage, the group made a point to cast students that aren’t in the theatre department or who aren’t usually cast into productions. However, “all of the actors have put in a lot of work and they’re all amazing. You may not know the story of ‘The Odd Couple,’ but if you go you’ll get it, you’ll think it’s funny.”
No need to take Blank’s word for it—although the play opened on Wednesday, April 25, “The Female Odd Couple” will continue to be performed at the Hemsley Theatre Thursday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday April 28 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but an online reservation is highly encouraged. You can RSVP online at www.mysignup.com/thefemaleoddcouple.
