Black Horse Village Players

By Anne Ritchie
There’s everything but the kitchen sink in Oscar Madison’s living room, found currently at Blackhorse Village Players.

You could, however, find it hidden under the rumpled shirts, crunched papers, crooked pictures, and overflowing laundry bag, all part of the comedy and chaos. There’s also a motley crew of poker players that complete the scene for Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, current production at Blackhorse Village Players.

As Oscar, actor and, aptly, set designer, Larry Hines becomes the nuts and bolts of one of Neil Simon’s best comedies. As soon as he enters, he fits the face, word and deeds of the gnarly, down-to-earth sports writer who rescues his best friend from an unsettling divorce. However, just as nuts and bolts can come undone, the apartment transforms with the arrival of fancy fussy Felix Unger (Rob Cook). It’s a toss up as to how long the odd couple can remain together without undoing each other.

Cook and Hines are like two book ends: cast as opposite extremes though in reality, equally balanced in talent and timing that hold a hilarious plot together. A rumpled baseball cap perches rakishly on Hines’ head as he valiantly upholds the wonders of clutter and leftover sandwiches (brown or green?). Meanwhile, the fashionable Felix sobs emotionally over lack of sensitivity and burnt London Broil. Hines and Cook can keep the patter going, the character moving, and the tension building till push comes to shove and someone has to go.

Poker buddies Murray (Craig Butler), Vinnie (Travis Montague), Speed (Dan McDevitt) and Roy (Morris Durante) follow the action, cheering and/or fearing the outcome. Butler, with a swagger of authority, has an answer for everything while the likable Durante has no problem sharing his opinion. An unflappable McDevitt is oblivious to Montague’s newsy chatter. In a most enjoyable performance, they raise awareness of the impending crisis when the two equal and opposing forces collide in one household.

At the peak of the crisis, we find Gwendolyn (Kate Horzempa) and Cecily (Ashley Abbott), two femme fatales. Horzempa and Abbott are so comfortable on stage, they can, captivatingly, do everything together: they giggle together, trill together, and chirp together, and their performance reflects talent which the audience enjoys, all together.

With an experienced cast backstage as much as on stage, the play, a round of applause belongs to Director Angie Sapalovski and coproducers Jo-Anne Pulfer and Cheryl Phillips.

Don’t miss the chance to experience for yourself a finely talented cast and crew in a classic comedy act at Blackhorse. The Odd Couple plays until May 1. Call (905) 880-5002 for ticket information.