Pictured above, from the BCT production of “The Odd Couple”: When Florence (Georgette Sims) gets worked up, it takes a team effort from cast members Renee (Westley Gibbs) and Mickey (Sonya Rucker) to calm her as other cast members watch in anticipation.
Despite the challenge of COVID-19, there are exciting things happening with the Batesville Community Theatre (BCT).
BCT has announced its production of the female version of Neil Simon’s classic play, “The Odd Couple,” will be presented July 29 through Aug. 1 in the Southside High School auditorium. This is the first performance BCT has been able to present since February of 2020, the organization noted in a release.
“This is the show that COVID tried to cancel. And it did. Twice. But you know what they say, ‘The show must go on,’” said Brandt McDonald, director of the production.
This smaller cast show is set in New York in the 1980s.
“I’m so thrilled to bring this to Batesville and lift the spirits of the community with this hilarious show. The cast is fantastic and makes me laugh over and over again,” said McDonald.
The curtains open to reveal Olive (Vanessa Adams) and her group of girlfriends enjoying their weekly Trivial Pursuit night in Olive’s messy and ill-equipped apartment. As the game progresses, Florence (Georgette Sims) arrives, fresh from being dumped by her husband. Fearful that the neurotic Florence might do something rash, Olive invites her to move in as her roommate. However, Olive and Florence have very different personalities. Where Olive is messy, untidy, and unconcerned about the state of her apartment, Florence is obsessively clean and overly concerned with hygiene. Olive’s easy-going outlook on life soon clashes with Florence’s highly-strung neurotic tendencies, testing their friendship to the limit. When Olive organizes a double-date with the Costazuela brothers, Manola (Stephen Norris) and Jesus (Matthew West), their differences come to a head and sparks fly. Other cast members in this comedy include Sonya Rucker (Mickey), Kori Denison (Vera), Westley Gibbs (Renee), and Jeanette Gibbs (Sylvie). The assistant director of the production is Bobby Simpson.
“The script is wonderful. It’s hilarious but also poignant and really defines female friendships. It has been great fun working with so many talented women. We have bonded much like the characters we are portraying,” says cast member Adams about the production.
This production is being presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
For evening performances, the curtain will open at 7 p.m. and the Sunday matinee will begin at 2 p.m. The lobby will open 30 minutes prior to the show.
Tickets will not be sold in advance. Admission to the event is $10 and can be paid at the door.
“The cast is so talented, and the script is hilarious. You don’t want to miss this funny, funny show,” said longstanding BCT board member Tommie McDonald.
Pictured below: “The Odd Couple,” Olive (Vanessa Adams, left) and Florence (Georgette Sims), quickly realize their differences during their new living arrangement. | Images via BCT
