May 24, 2002 2 min read

DELMONT – Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont will present Neil Simon’s female version “The Odd Couple” today through Saturday, June 8. This comedy proves that a best friend can be the worst roommate. Olive Madison offers to house her friend Florence Unger after Unger separates from her husband. Before long, each is annoyed by the other’s habits. Olive is a beer and a Lean Cuisine on the couch kind of woman and Florence puts even the best pampered chef hostess to shame. She prepares gourmet meals and waits expectantly for the compliments. Soon after the two move in together, the claws come out and the catfights begin.

Pat Beyer takes on the role of Olive Madison. A Latrobe native, Beyer admits to having a few things in common with Olive.

“I enjoy Olive’s humor,” Beyer said. “I’m afraid that we are similar in that I make little piles and turn them into big ones. I live in a state of organized clutter.”

Shirley Ratner compliments, or rather criticizes Beyer as the persnickety Florence Unger.

This is the second round for Beyer and Ratner. They performed the same roles at Apple Hill several years ago.

“We had a ball doing the show before, and we’ve been talking for years about doing it again,” Beyer said. “We are friends in real life and so I thought we’d better do it before we get too old to remember the lines.”

Director Ron Ferrara also cast Pam Farneth, Val Wood, Pam Eyler and Maria DelVeechio as the female Trivial Pursuit partners. Al Bonati and Larry Tempo play the hilarious Constanzuela brothers.

Simon’s female version of “The Odd Couple” runs today through June 8. Curtain is at 8 p.m. for evening performances and 2 p.m. for matinees. Call the Apple Hill box office at 724-468-5050.

or log on to www.applehillplayhouse.org.