Tomorrow is the first public performance of the ARTS production of the classic Neil Simon comedy The Odd Couple - and to celebrate, we have interviews with the show’s actors!
Yesterday we heard from the show's "Oscar" - so today we have an interviews with "Felix," played by the talented Robert Hutchens:
Q: Tell us about The Odd Couple.
Robert: The Odd Couple is one of the best-known, best-loved, often-done plays in American drama because it is so masterfully written. The playwright Neil Simon is probably the most successful writer of stage comedies in the United States, probably one of the most successful anywhere at anytime. The premise is simple: two people of polar opposite natures and habits try to live together: Oscar is a slob sportswriter and Felix is an obsessive-compulsive writer of news for CBS. They drive each other crazy for three weeks.
Q: Why did you want to be part of this show?
Robert: I wanted to be in the show because I love playing comedy, because the director Gene Anthony is a virtuoso of directing comedy, and because the play and the part of masterpieces of comic writing.
Q: Tell us about the character you play.
Robert: I play Felix, the OCD one. He is neurotic, prissy, and fastidious. And he drives everyone crazy. Except for the fastidiousness, I thought I had the raw material to bring the character to life.
Q: What's your background in theatre?
Robert: I was a theatre student at the University of Tennessee and worked in the department and its professional company for several years. Later, and at different times in my life, I worked professionally as an actor, director, and marketer of plays.
Q: What's the most challenging thing about doing a comedy like this?
Robert: The most challenging thing about playing Felix is the size of the role. Although it isn't as big as the role of Oscar, it still has me on-stage for most of three acts, and it isn't easy to sustain energy and concentration for that length of time.
Q: Tell us about the talented cast.
Robert: I've been in plays with several of the cast members before and was delighted to have the opportunity to work with them again. Before I worked with James Holley in A Catered Affair, I'd been impressed by his absolute authenticity on stage. He's one of the most "real" actors I've ever worked with. John Campbell was in my first ARTS production, Brigadoon, and has been in two other productions with me (As You Like It and A Catered Affair). He's a great cast mate, strong in performance and a great and supportive friend. Sheila Meade and I shared a lovely scene in August: Osage County last year. It's a pleasure to reunite with her. I've been in two other plays with Dr. Todd Greene. Nobody cracks me up the way Todd does. The other actors are first-time colleagues, but ones I'm eager to work with again.
Q: Why would you recommend this show?
Robert: Gene Anthony our director says over and over what a great play The Odd Couple is. He's right. Neil Simon can write sure-fire jokes with greater accuracy and boundless supply than any playwright in the American theatre, but jokes are not what make the play so admirable. As good and plenteous as the jokes are, they are subservient to character and story. It's the fact that the play has all three excellent elements that makes it worthwhile.
Q: Thanks, Robert!
The Odd Couple by Neil Simon will be presented by Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS) on Oct. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. at the ARTS Renaissance Ballroom at 900 8th Street in Huntington. Tickets are $15 for the show only and $30 for both dinner and the show. Reservations are required for the dinner - call 304-734-2787.
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