Review: Humor is simple to naughty to subtle

Although I've never seen the original “Odd Couple,” I had a strange inkling it was a source of inspiration for Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau's “Grumpy Old Men.”

Whether or not that is true, those two stayed with me throughout Chanticleer Theater's “The Odd Couple: Female Version.”

Neil Simon performed some light gender modification surgery on his play about opposite-personality roommates. I say light, because it felt like most of the dialogue and situations could easily fit either male or female roles.

The main character, Olive Madison, played by Denise Putman, haphazardly decorates her apartment with sports posters and a Yankees throw and handles her pack of friends roughly.

She is the direct opposite of her newly divorced friend, Florence Unger, played by Mary Allerton, a housewife who loves to shop and keep everything neat and tidy. Both women, however, are prone to dramatics.

Florence is in the throes of suicidal threats when she arrives in the middle of the weekly game of Trivial Pursuit (a poker game in the original play). At the end of the first act, Olive decides to take Florence under her wing.

I'm not sure how much thought went into the costume design, but in the first act, Olive and Florence wore matching hot pink capris. Their shirts were very different (Olive's baggy T-shirt against Florence's cardigan and blouse) in fitting with their different personalities.

In the second act, when their friendship is strained by Florence's homemaker tendencies, there is no cohesiveness in their outfits (except for Florence's professional attire). Kudos to the costume department.

The “Odd Couple,” though contemporary, is aimed mostly at an older audience, though the situation and jokes aren't unreachable for younger viewers. It's definitely not for children — there are quite a few ribald jokes.

Then, to spice up the estrogen, we get the Costazuela twins, a Spanish version of Florence and Olive played by Tim Daugherty and Dave Howard, who entered dressed akin to Miami porn stars.

When two pairs of divorcees live in the same building, you can expect shenanigans to ensue. Add in a language barrier, and you're in for some awkward jokes.

“Odd Couple” moves quickly and keeps the audience laughing. The cast doesn't hold back on the dramatic moments, and the humor ranges from simple to naughty to subtle, so whatever your taste, you'll laugh at some point.

Though Florence and Olive are women, I couldn't keep Lemmon and Matthau out of my head — and that's fine. These days, women can be overly tidy like Florence or abrasive and tomboyish like Olive. The play is not about gender but about loneliness and friendship.

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