Fabrefaction takes on a bromantic comedy with The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple is an iconic theater production. Neil Simon’s choice to write about relationships yet put a different spin on it turned out to be hilarious, relatable, and portrays love in a whole new way. Fabrefaction Theatre Company is currently showing The Odd Couple till March 3. It opened on Valentines Day and promised a night filled with “bromance” and laughs long after the holiday was over.

Below Veronika Duerr, director, and  Evelyn Hoff, executive director of Fabrefaction Theatre Company, talk about this classic show, their decisions in the production process and how audience members should hold on to their butts while attending this show.

Q: What influenced you to choose to direct such a well known and iconic work this season?

Veronika Duerr:  I was thrilled to accept the position when Christina Hoff called me. My family has had a long history with this show, as you can read about in my program notes. It’s always a challenge to produce such a well known play. You want to stay loyal to the material and to the audiences expectations while also putting your own mark on the production and keeping it fresh by utilizing the charm of your own clever cast along with their hilarious ideas and impulses. It’s a challenge I was more than happy to under take.

Q: Fabrefaction’s production of The Odd Couple is described as a “bromance”, a culturally modern term, did you modernize the text through setting, costume or other alterations?

Veronika Duerr: We did not modernize the text or the design. We set the show in 1965 as is written. The thing about the show is it’s timeless-ness. It’s like Shakespeare. It’s Universal. Sure, we’re showing you 1965, but these characters still exist today. They are still relatable. Simon’s writing is timeless. This play has been around for almost 50 years and in that time it has been produced multiple times in several languages all around the globe. We used the term “bromance” because it’s a funny concept word and the friendship and fights between Oscar and Felix in the show are akin to a bromance. They can’t live with each other but also are not ready to live with out each other.

Q: While casting the production, what were you looking for while making your choices?

Evelyn Hoff: As part of the casting committe, I was looking for the correct contrast between Oscar (John Stanier) and Felix (Dave Lauby). It’s a delicate balance between love and hate!  We knew Erin Burnett and Caleigh Allen would be fabulous together as the Pigeon sisters and “the guys” (Whit Davies, Sean Haley, Vinnie Mascola, Daviorr Snipes) are so comfortable together it’s not hard to believe in their friendship.

Q: It was an interesting choice for a show that opened on Valentines Day and touts itself as a date night show, especially since it involves two divorcees, can you describe your decision process behind this and how this relationship stands out so strongly?

Veronika Duerr: Evelyn Hoff and Christina Hoff are in charge of programming and chose for the show to open on Valentines Day. I thought it was a grand idea. The play reads like a romantic comedy between two male friends that drive each other crazy but inversely can’t live without each other. It’s perfect for a date night!

Q: What can an audience, especially those new to Fabrefaction’s work, look forward to while in attendance?

Veronika Duerr: The audience can expect to laugh their butts off. Between Simon’s brilliant writing and our genius cast of goofballs, we have built a truly hilarious yet utterly truthful night of theatre.