CVCT's female 'Odd Couple' opens Friday at CVIC Hall

"The Odd Couple (Female Version)," a Neil Simon comedy, will be presented by the Carson Valley Community Theatre this weekend on Friday and Sunday, and May 19, 20 and 21, at the CVIC Hall in Minden. The lead roles of Florence Unger and Olive Madision are played by Maggie Allen and Margaret Edson, respectively.

The female version of Neil Simon's 1965 Tony Award winning comedy "The Odd Couple" first opened in 1985, starring Rita Moreno and Sally Struthers.

"It's a very funny show," said Edson. "Whenever the cast laughs, you know it's funny."

This is Edson's first production since moving to Nevada four years ago. She hails from Penn Valley, Calif., where she did several productions for Lake Wildwood Little Theatre and Community Players of Grass Valley. Among those were "Call Me Madam," "Guys and Dolls," "A Bad Year For Tomatoes," "Moon Over Buffalo." She also has done productions for Pleasanton Players and Maui Community Theatre.

Edson's husband, Norris, is the stage manager. He founded and co-directed the Lake Wildwood Men's Chorus and currently sings with the Chorus of the Comstock in Carson City. Norris' major roles have been Benny Southstreet in "Guys and Dolls" and Charlie Cowell in "Music Man," both produced by Lake Wildwood Little Theater, and he was stage manager for "Moon Over Buffalo." Norris co-produced with his wife a Christmas special titled "Broadway in the Sierra."

The director, Rob Richardson, got his theatrical start at Douglas High School. He grew up in Gardnerville and worked with the original Carson Valley Theater Company. He has been directing for 25 years, including directing theater productions for about 15 years in Seattle and Reno.

This is Allen's second time performing in a play, the first was in the community theater group's production of "Moonlight Mayhem."

Last year Carson Valley Community Theater returned to the Valley after a long hiatus to perform both "Moonlight Mayhem" and the Christmas melodrama, "Santa's Little Helper."

The cast of "The Odd Couple (Female Version)" also includes Linda Jo Diego as Mickey, Bil Luckey as Jesus, James Hassberg as Manolo, Carolyn Lancaster as Sylvie, Sue Smith as Reneé and Chanden Tolbert as Vera.

Show times are 8 p.m. April 28, 2 p.m. April 30, 8 p.m. May 19, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. May 20, and 2 p.m. May 21. Ticket prices are $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show. Tickets will be available starting Wednesday and can be purchased in advance at Tumblewind Antiques & Collectibles or Barone & Reed Food Co., both on Esmeralda Avenue in downtown Minden. Tickets can be purchased by cash or check. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 781-3107 or e-mailing cvctstage@yahoo.com

Carson Valley Community Theatre is a non-profit organization and donations to the group are welcomed. To make a donation: make check payable to CVCT, Inc., and send to P.O. Box 654, Minden, NV 89423.