Theatre Guild celebrates female version of "The Odd Couple"

by Eric Jackson

The cast for this Theatre Guild of Ancon production includes, left to right, Melissa Bocharel, Linda Parker, Manny Velez, Rosalind Baitel, Clarita Smith, Diana Luz Parada, Tracey Stempel and Robert Bruno

Though Neil Simon’s plays have been translated into many languages, they need to be performed in English for best effect. This Hispanic country is thus lucky to have the Theatre Guild of Ancon, which has staged Simon’s best works, in English, over its 51 years.

The current offering, produced by Gale Cellucci and directed by Carlos Williams, is a translation of sorts, but from one gender to another rather than between languages, and by Simon himself. The comedy is about the compulsive Florence (Smith) moving in with Olive the slob (Baitel), complicating the women’s Trivial Pursuit circle and Olive’s interest in the handsome Spaniards upstairs.

This is a worthy play, done well. You can still see it on March 30 or 31.

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