Divorce and Disorder: "The Odd Couple" Moves In At The Palace

Two divorcees who couldn’t be more different. A cast of colourful characters. Snappy dialogue, tight pacing, and comedic chaos.

The Odd Couple, directed by Dan Curtis, has taken up residence at the Palace Theatre! Catch a performance before Oscar and Felix's lease ends (and the show closes) on April 13.

The cast and crew of "The Odd Couple" at the Palace Theatre. Photo by Ross Davidson.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1965, Neil Simon’s beloved comedy has been revived again and again on the stage and screen. Although roommates with clashing personalities are a familiar trope, The Odd Couple continues to entertain audiences with lively banter and memorable moments.

The recently divorced Oscar Madison (Aaron Gorlick) is a slob and proud of it. His apartment, strewn with clothes and trash, is a familiar haunt for a group of poker pals. They're meeting for their weekly game when latecomer Felix Unger (David Pasquino) stumbles in on the worst night of his life, having just been kicked out by his wife of twelve years.

The guys try to cope with Felix's crisis. Back: Vinnie (Sergio Andreatta), Speed (Liam Ifabumuyi), Murray (Chris Albert). Front: Roy (Jeremy Patrick), Felix (David Pasquino), Oscar (Aaron Gorlick). Photo by Ross Davidson.

The friends frantically talk the endearingly panicked Felix off of a ledge and, when the dust settles and the phone stops ringing, Oscar invites Felix to move in. What he doesn’t realize is that Felix brings along non-stop commentary, a passion for fine dining, a propensity for injury, and plenty of emotional baggage. It’s not long before the men find themselves on the brink of a breakup—a roommate divorce, if you will. 

As the title may hint, a successful staging of The Odd Couple relies on the main duo: Oscar and Felix. Aaron Gorlick and David Pasquino are perfectly cast. Whether it’s the sloppy way Oscar kicks off his shoes or Felix’s fastidious vacuuming, the characters' mannerisms are spot-on. Their non-stop banter delightfully shows all sides of their strange relationship. One minute, they’re two bickering siblings; the next, Oscar sends Felix to his room for a timeout; the next, they’re talking like an old married couple.

One of the most entertaining fights between Oscar (Aaron Gorlick) and Felix (David Pasquino). Photo by Ross Davidson.

Of course, The Odd Couple wouldn’t be complete without a lively cast of supporting characters. Murray (Chris Albert), Speed (Liam Ifabumuyi), Roy (Jeremy Patrick), and Vinnie (Sergio Andreatta) round out the gang of poker players. The group’s dynamic reaches heights of hilarity during a well-meaning—if chaotic—attempt to support Felix through his breakdown.

In the second act, sisters Gwendolyn (Sarah Taylor) and Cecily Pigeon (Makayla Ashenden) bring bubbly charm into the mix as they unintentionally drive a wedge between the already strained roommates. 

Felix (David Pasquino) quickly melts the hearts of Gwendolyn (Sarah Taylor) and Cecily (Makayla Ashenden). Photo by Ross Davidson.

“The Odd Couple is more than just a story about mismatched roommates. It’s also a story about human connection and the bonds that are built in the most unlikely of places,” says director Dan Curtis. 

Even in a show built around quirks that make people a little unlikeable, the audience roots for the relationships at the heart of the story. The Odd Couple reminds us that, despite everything that irritates us about the people we share spaces with, no one wants to go through life alone. 

Oscar (Aaron Gorlick) and Felix (David Pasquino) are right at home together. Photo by Ross Davidson.

Don't miss an entertaining night out at the Palace! Grab your tickets for The Odd Couple before it closes on April 13.