What do you get when you pair two desperately mismatched roommates together? One of Neil Simon’s greatest comedies,The Odd Couple.

The audience will be thoroughly entertained with the zany antics of the classic comedy characters as Oscar, a sloppy sportswriter and Felix, a meticulous news writer, suddenly become single and strain their friendship by becoming roommates.

“We are excited to bring such a classic comedy to the Mill Mountain Theatre stage. Simon does it best and we have an incredible blend of Mill Mountain Theatre Alums and new faces to bring these characters to life,” according to Ginger Poole, Producing Artistic Director.

Familiar faces making a return appearance to the Mill Mountain Theatre stage include Jeffrey McGullion playing the part of Felix Ungar. McGullion was involved with two performances (42nd Street and On Golden Pond) last season.

Another actor from last season, Todd Guill, will assume the role of Oscar Madison. Guill worked with McGullion in On Golden Pond last fall. He played the part of the ever-popular mailman. Now the two are together again to perform Simon’s Tony Award winning production. “As we laugh at their struggles with each other, we simultaneously empathize with their struggles with change. We all understand the difficulty of starting over when life takes a surprising turn,” Show Director Jay Briggs said.

Two special events will be held in conjunction with the opening of The Odd Couple. Show tickets for Wednesday, September 28, will include a pre-show workshop in the Harrison Museum of African American Culture on the second floor of Center in the Square from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Executive Director Jerry Hancock with Men in Balance, a North Carolina-based organization, will address issues such as balance and integration in occupational, spiritual and personal lives.

Reservations are requested via email at [email protected]. A cash bar and snacks will be available.

On Thursday, September 29, Hancock will lead a post-show audience talk-back with the production’s cast members. This session will address issues that emerged during the show.

The Odd Couple runs September 28 through October 9 on the Trinkle Main Stage in the Wells Fargo Auditorium at Center in the Square. Beverages can be purchased from the bar beginning at 6:30 p.m. and continuing through intermission. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Saturday and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:00 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available from the Center in the Square box office by calling (540) 342-5740 or online via Mill Mountain Theatre’s website at www.millmountain.org.

Mill Mountain Theater is grateful for the support from Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital; The Roanoke Star and WDBJ Television.

Additional support is made possible in part by generous underwriting by Bank of Floyd; Claytor/Wirt Associates; Lee F. Brooks/Ameriprise Financial Services; Davis H. Elliott Company; Davenport & Company LLC; the Glebe; Rutherfoord; Trane; Better Sofas, Inc.; and FreightCar America, Inc.