The humorous saga of night and day personalities trying to live together will hit the stage of the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso.
“The Odd Couple” runs April 29 to May 15 at the ornate venue that is more than 120 years old.
The finicky Felix Unger and the untidy Oscar Madison find themselves rooming together in Oscar’s New York City apartment.
Oscar is divorced; Felix is recently separated from his wife.
Friends gather to play cards in Oscar’s messy place. Felix is late to arrive, and the fun begins in this Neil Simon classic about a hypochondriac who consistently annoys his slovenly roommate.
Portraying the high-strung Felix is Michigan City’s Donald Beck.
“It’s a very fun role,” Beck, 58, said. “He is kind of a fussy clean-aholic.”
The character of Felix became very identified with the late Tony Randall, who earned an Emmy Award for his portrayal of the neat freak on “The Odd Couple” — the 1970s television sitcom.
Beck is striving to put his own stamp on the role of a neurotic New Yorker who battles sinus problems, plans perfect meals and obsessively dusts.
“I try to make it my own as much as possible,” the actor said of a part that comes with “lots of lines.”
Beck has the advantage of sharing some of Felix’s inclinations in real life.
“I am pretty fussy,” Beck said. “I do like things clean and orderly.”
The actor views Felix as a fairly relatable figure to the general public.
“Everybody has their own idiosyncrasies,” Beck reasoned.
As far as preparing for the role, Beck said he “got a few ideas” from the 1968 film adaptation of “The Odd Couple,” which starred Jack Lemmon as Felix and Walter Matthau as Oscar.
Entrusted with the role of gambling-loving Oscar in the Valparaiso production is 53-year-old Bruce Jung of Crown Point.
This is Jung’s first opportunity to take on a part that he has coveted since high school.
When auditions were announced, he did not hesitate. “I just jumped right on it,” he recalled.
There are many reasons to like the juicy character, who is known as a cigar-loving everyman.
“It’s a real pleasure,” Jung said of the challenge. “It’s a big part.”
Jung has a feel for Oscar Madison, whom he views as a loud, broad character.
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“Oscar is a sportswriter; he’s very talented, loyal, has good friends, but he has a difficult time with commitments.”
Oscar likes to have his fun. “He’s got some great lines; he’s very witty,” Jung said. “He’s not a straight arrow. He can be outrageous. He’s a slob.”
Just as Oscar Madison is a multilayered figure, Felix Unger has elements of his personality that are, at the same time, both funny and sympathetic.
At the beginning of the play, Felix is an emotional wreck as he deals with separation from wife and children.
“He has no self-worth of his own,” said Beck, pointing to Felix’s “very low self-esteem.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
“The Odd Couple”
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
When: 8 p.m. April 29, 30; May 6, 7, 13, 14; 2 p.m. May 1, 8, 15
Tickets: Adults $21; students and senior citizens $18; loge seats $50
Information: 219-548-9137; memorialoperahouse.com