Posted: 7/17/02

'Odd Couple' deserves a look

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The comedy was on, the timing was tight and the costumes and set brought the audience right into Felix and Oscarís living room.

Wait a minuteówhat audience?

In its 26th season, Masquerís Theatre Company is bringing out a trio of shows for young and oldóbut the public is not showing up to fill the seats.

The first of the season, ìA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,î directed by Susan Swanson Novak, brought in small numbers despite a stellar musical score and prime talent.

The second show of the season, ìThe Odd Coupleî debuted last weekend. The comedy, directed by Jean Mornard, continues this weekend with shows scheduled Thursday July 18 through Saturday, July 20.

Despite a dedicated cast and crew, the seats stood empty and the applause lacked that music which is made when hundreds join their hands in exclamation.

The public is missing out.

Cast

ìThe Odd Coupleî is led by Wes McDonald as the slovenly and carefree Oscar Madison. McDonald, also on the 2002 Masquers board of directors, has appeared in other shows such as ìSound of Music,î ìRumors,î ìOliver,î and ìThe Pajama Game.î

He is joined by Joe Hendren as the ever-anal retentive Felix Ungar.

Hendren, an aspiring filmmaker who just completed his first film (ìDumbfoundedî), was in last yearís ìPajama Gameî with Masquers and recently was seen in ìDraculaî with the Rosetown Playhouse.

The pair truly live up to the title of the show.

McDonald looks at home in his baggy blue jeans and jerseys, as does Hendren in buttoned up shirts and too-short slacks.

Watching the show last week, I tried to rememberódid they seem like that in rehearsalóor could they really act that well?

During rehearsal the week before, Hendren had come to run his lines in a loudly printed beach shirt. McDonald looked about the same with a T-Shirt and hat on backwards, but at rehearsal he was busy and tending to detail after detail. Oscar wouldnít do that.

Still, on the stage under the lights with lines embossed into their minds, McDonald and Hendren, for a couple of hours at leastóare an uptight worry wart and an irresponsible rascal.

Of course no men would be complete without their buddies.

Masquerís mainstays Justin Brink and Roger Wiersma take on the roles of Vinnie and Roy, respectively. They are joined by Matt Jonasen who manages to make the perfect blend of goofiness and physical animation.

Due to a last minute cast change, the role of Murray is being played by two actors, Joe Morcomb and Travis Hofeld.

Jennifer Oberg and Deborah Wiersma, both local veterans, take on the roles of Gwendolyn and Cecily Pigeon, European sisters who live in the same New York City apartment complex as Oscar and Felix.

Though her first Masquerís show, Oberg has been in ìHey George,î ìFiddler on the Roof,î ìSeven Brides for Seven Brothers,î and ìBye Bye Birdie.î

Wiersma wears several hats with Masquers, heading up the board of directors and performing in all three Masquerís shows this season.

Is she tiredóshe doesnít show it on stage. If anything, the theater seems to bring this Forest Lake woman to life.

Thursday special

ISD 831 Community Services is offering Thursday specials for Masquersí summer shows.

Theater patrons can enjoy a free adult ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket for ìOdd Coupleî on Thursday July 18.

During the week of the show, those wanting to take advantage of the deal need to go to the Community Services office to purchase tickets. There, patrons will be given vouchers to bring to the show.

For ìThe Wizî later this summer, Community Services will continue with the Thursday special. However, for ìThe Wizî theater patrons will receive a free childrenís ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Shows/Tickets

ìOdd Coupleî hits the stage at 7 p.m. July 18-20 at Forest Lake High School Auditorium.

Adult tickets are $10; senior tickets are $9 and childrenís tickets are $6.

Tickets are available at the Yellow Bus, which can be reached by calling 651-464-2112.

Tickets also are available at the door beginning a half hour before each performance.

For more information call the box office at 651-464-5823 or visit www.masquerstheatre.com on the World Wide Web.

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