Fabrefaction flavors The Odd Couple a bit too vanilla

The Odd Couple is one of those classic plays that brings up a very common issue of whether to modernize or leave it alone. And I think with a play like this, one that Neil Simon wrote back in the 1960’s and has been made into a movie and done over and over and over again, Fabrefaction Theatre Company made a choice that I don’t think paid off.

It could be that I have seen Felix and Oscar in action dozens of times, or that I’m just hoping that a young theater company will push the limits a little bit, but I hoped for a smidgen of edge, a small twist to keep an audience (who I am guessing is just as familiar with the play as I am) awake, aware, and appreciating all that Simon was portraying.

The acting was fine. Both John Stanier (Oscar) and Dave Lauby (Felix) played the parts as they have always been played. Luckily though both added a few quips from their own personas to indulge the audience with original laughter every now and again. The poker buddies of the two iconic characters, Roy (Whit Davies), Vinnie (Sean Haley), Speed (Vinnie Mascola) and Murray (Daviorr Snipes), were funny, energetic and pulled out many of the punch lines. The brief encounters that we get of women during the play, the neighbors of the divorcee roommates, Cecily (Caleigh Allen) and Gwendolyn (Erin Burnett), were probably the most fascinating of the characters. Both portrayed the slightly inappropriate and not so slightly man hungry pigeon sisters perfectly and made these bit parts much more memorable than I have seen in other renditions ­– possibly in part of the director’s, Veronika Duerr’s, involvement with The Weird Sisters Theatre Project and their mission to further “foster and cultivate” female roles in performing arts.

This was my first time at Fabrefaction and though the humble background and space were equally impressive, the show was not. It was good, but not good enough to provoke a conversation or add a spark to Atlanta’s theater movement. I’m hoping their spring/summer season will bring a bit of redemption and further prove why this small outfit has the gumption to take on such big name shows and give newcomers, and beginner actors, a chance to learn and create.

For information on acting opportunities or upcoming shows, including Spring Awakening (!), visit, www.fabrefaction.org.