VBT Community Players to present ‘The Odd Couple’

Van Buren Community Players will present Neil Simon’s comedy “The Odd Couple” at the township’s Community Center Black Box Theater Sept. 12-14 and 19-21.
One of the most celebrated American comedies and considered Neil Simon’s most popular play, “The Odd Couple” is a take on the conflicts between two friends when they attempt to live together. The two mismatched roommates, Oscar Madison and Felix Unger, couldn’t be more different.
Oscar is laid-back and disorganized while Felix is an uptight perfectionist. The two are forced to live together after Felix’s wife kicks him out. Felix transforms Oscar’s messy, unsanitary apartment into a sparkling clean and highly regulated space, driving Oscar crazy and exasperating their poker buddies with his obsessively neat behavior.
Director Thomas Mattison, along with a cast of eight will bring this classic comedy.
Mattison said, “It has been such a joy working with this talented group of actors. Each of them brings their own unique energy and creativity to Neil Simon’s classic script, and together they have found a perfect balance of humor and heart. Audiences are in for a treat watching this ensemble bring ‘The Odd Couple’ to life with such sharp timing and genuine chemistry.”
The cast of this show includes Eric Schongalla of Canton as Oscar Madison, Geoff Kopp of Van Buren Township as Felix Ungar, Michael Knight of Taylor as Murray, Sara Long of Ann Arbor as Speed, Samuel Bingle of Belleville as Vinnie, Brian Trippel of Romulus as Roy,
Courtney Gillis of Livonia as Gwendolyn Pigeon, and Bethany Wagner of Farmington Hills as Cecily Pigeon.
Performances are Sept. 12-14 and 19-21 at the Black Box Theater, inside the Van Buren Township Community Center, located at 46425 Tyler Rd. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.
Tickets to the performances are $15-$20 each and can be purchased online by going to the new ticketing system www.vbtvbc.ludus.com or in person at the community center desk Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. For ticket assistance by phone, call (734) 699-8921. If there are any remaining tickets, they will be available for purchase at the Community Center Desk one hour prior to show time.
The Black Box Theater now has new cushioned seats.
The Odd Couple is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc.
For more information on this show and all upcoming shows, call (734) 796-7900, visit
www.vanburencommunityplayers.com or email