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Augustine High School Theater 2016-2017

FALL PLAY AUDITIONS: THE ODD COUPLE by Neil Simon

AUDITION INFORMATION-
Auditions for The Odd Couple will take place Tuesday, Sept. 13 and Wednesday, Sept. 14
after school from 2:30 to 4:00 pm in Room 316. Stop by outside Room 316 and sign up for an
Audition Time Slot.

*Auditions for Women will be on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 2:30 to 3:30 pm in Room 316.

Callbacks will take place Thursday, Sept. 15 after school from 2:30 to 4:30 pm in Room 316.

(There might be additional Callbacks on Friday after school as well.)

The Cast List will be posted on Friday, Sept. 16 afternoon or evening via email.

Rehearsals will take place after school beginning Monday, Sept. 19 from 2:30 to 5:00 pm in
316. (Rehearsal days will vary depending on the roles students play. During the first month of
rehearsal I try not to schedule everyone for everyday of practice. During the second month of
rehearsal, ALL cast members should plan on being at ALL practices Monday through Friday
after school. Also plan to attend dress rehearsals on Veterans Day- Friday, Nov. 11, and
Saturday, Nov. 12.)

Performance dates: November 16, 17, 18, at 7:30 pm, and November 19 at 2:00 pm at the
OLP Theater.

Director: Mr. Joe Slevcove jslevcove@sahs.org

About the Play: The Odd Couple is a classic, American play by our most successful living
playwright Neil Simon. It has been one of the most popular plays performed in the last 50
years, both professionally and in schools and colleges. There has been a well known film
version, and three different TV versions of the play, including the current series on CBS.

The play tells the story of Oscar and Felix, two friends turned roommates after Felix gets thrown
out by his wife. Conflict (and hilarity) ensues when they both see just how different they are.

Type of Play: Comedy (This is a realistic comedy, as opposed to slapstick comedy or

farce). For the characters in this story, if feels like a serious drama at times, but it’s funny to the
audience.

Setting: a large apartment in New York City, in a nice part of town

Time: In the not too distant past (The play was originally written in 1965, but we are not going
to play it as a 1960’s story. Most of the play comes across like it could be happening in recent
times.)
Men’s Roles-

Oscar Madison early 30’s, a New Yorker, recently divorced sports writer, he enjoys life to the
fullest, has a care-free attitude, not concerned with details, rules, being on time, or keeping
things clean. Others would call him a slob. His ex-wife and 2 kids now live in California.

Felix Ungar early 30’s, married 12 years to Frances, father of 2 kids, and recently thrown out
by his wife. He is news writer for a tv news show. Felix takes everything very seriously. He is
extremely organized, clean, a rule-follower, a neat-freak, and an obsessive control freak. He is
also a hypochrondriac (look it up). Felix is a “high maintenance” person who does not think he
is a high-maintenance person. While he is compulsively neat and tidy, deep down there is
another side of him trying to let loose.

Murray 30ish, a life-long New Yorker, one of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. An
NYPD policeman, which is a good job for him because he likes to take charge and keep things
running smoothely. A methodically slow thinker. Steady and fairly unflappable, but occasionally
a bit simple and naïve. He is married to Mimi and is a dad.

Roy 30ish, a life-long New Yorker, one of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. He is an
accountant, and Oscar is one of his long-time clients. Roy has a dry wit and sense of humor (but
is less sarcastic than Speed).

Speed 30ish, a life-long New Yorker, and one of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. He is out
spoken, boistrous, gruff and sarcastic. He is always in a hurry. He often picks on his friends
Vinnie and Murray.

Vinnie 30ish, one of Oscar and Felix’s long-time poker buddies. Vinnie is mild-mannered,
good natured, and assumes the best about everyone. He is positive, helpful, often a bit
nervous, and bit naive and simplistic. He is married and henpecked, making him an easy target
for Speed’s verbal barbs.

Women’s Roles-

Gwendolyn and Cecily Pigeon met Oscar when the three of them were stuck in their building’s
elevator together. These two British sisters have been in New York about four years, and live
together upstairs from Oscar and Felix. They both work at a Health Club in New York
City. They are fun, out going, love to laugh, and have a sly sense of humor. Both of them enjoy
Oscar’s humor and personality, and end up very sympathetic toward Felix and his problems by
the end of the play.

Cecily Pigeon British, late 20’s, The younger and more uninhibited sister. Divorced, and
happy to be out of a bad marriage.

Gwendolyn Pigeon British, late 20’s or 30ish, The older, “mother hen” of the sisters. She
had been married back in Britain, and now says, “Technically, I’m a widow. I was divorcing my
husband but he died before the final papers came through.”

For the audition, don’t worry about using a British accent, unless you’re comfortable trying it.
(We can teach you an accent later!)
AUDITION SCENES-
For the auditions, be familiar with one or more of the following scenes. You do not need to
memorize these.

Act Two SCENE I

FELIX: (Staring at the door) That's funny, isn't it? They think we're happy. They really think
we're enjoying this. They don't know what it's like.
OSCAR: I'd be immensely grateful to you, Felix, if you didn't clean up just now.
FELIX: (Puts dishes on the tray) It's only a few things. You know I think they really envy us.
(He clears more stuff from the table)
OSCAR: Leave everything alone. I'm not through dirtying-up for the night.
FELIX: (Putting stuff on the tray) But don't you see the irony of it? Don't you see it?
OSCAR: Yes, I see it.
FELIX: (Clearing the table) No, you don't. I really don't think you do.
OSCAR: I'm telling you I see the irony of it.
FELIX: Then tell me. What is it? What's the irony?
OSCAR: The irony is—unless we can come to some other arrangement, I'm gonna kill you!
That's the irony.
FELIX: What's wrong? (puts down all the glasses and other things)
OSCAR: There's something wrong with this system, that's what's wrong. I don't think that two
single roommates living alone in an apartment should have a cleaner house than my mother.
FELIX: What are you talking about? I'm just going to put the dishes in the sink. You want me to
leave them here all night?
OSCAR: I don't care if you take them to bed with you. You can play Martha Stewart all you
want. But don't make me feel guilty.
FELIX: I'm not asking you to do it. You don't have to clean up.
OSCAR: That's why you make me feel guilty. Last night I found you washing the kitchen floor,
shaking your head and moaning, "Footprints, footprints!"
FELIX: I didn't say they were yours.
OSCAR: Well, they were mine. I have feet and they make prints. What do you want me to do,
climb across the cabinets?
FELIX: No! I want you to walk on the floor.
OSCAR: I appreciate that! I really do.
FELIX: I’m just trying to keep the place livable. I didn't realize I irritated you that much…. I was
wondering how long it would take before I got on your nerves.
OSCAR: I didn't say you get on my nerves.
FELIX: Well, it's the same thing. You said I irritated you.
OSCAR: You said you irritated me. I didn't say it.
FELIX: Then what did you say?
OSCAR: I don't know what I said. What's the difference what I said?
FELIX: I was just repeating what I thought you said.
OSCAR: Well, don't repeat what you thought I said. Repeat what I said! Ugh!, that's irritating!
FELIX: You see! You did say it!
OSCAR: I don't believe this whole conversation.
FELIX: I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me.
OSCAR: And don't pout. If you want to fight, we'll fight. But don't pout! Fighting I win. Pouting
you win!
FELIX: You're right. Everything you say about me is absolutely right.
OSCAR: And don't give in so easily. I'm not always right. Sometimes you're right.
FELIX: You're right. I do that. I always figure I'm in the wrong.
OSCAR: Only this time you are wrong. And I'm right. And don't sulk. That's the same as
pouting.
FELIX: Oh, leave me alone.