Two casts, one classic: LCCC stages both versions of Neil Simon’s ‘The Odd Couple’

CHEYENNE, Wyoming – Two sets of mismatched roommates will put their friendships — and sanity — to the test when The Odd Couple takes the stage at Laramie County Community College.

LCCC’s Theatre Department will present The Odd Couple at 7:30 p.m. April 17, 18 and 19, followed by The Odd Couple: Female Version at 7:30 p.m. April 24, 25 and 26. Both productions take place in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the college’s Cheyenne campus.

Originally written by Neil Simon in 1966 and reimagined by the playwright nearly two decades later, the two scripts mirror each other in structure while offering distinct perspectives. The male version follows the uptight Felix and the slovenly Oscar as they test the limits of friendship and tolerance under one roof. The female version introduces Olive and Florence, equally mismatched roommates navigating the post-divorce world of late 1980s New York.

Though the premise is played for laughs, the performances lean into deeper emotional truths.

“Yes, it’s funny — but there has to be heart,” said Jason Pasqua, LCCC Theatre instructor and director of both productions. “These characters don’t just bicker for sport. They’re trying to connect, even when everything about their personalities says they shouldn’t. That’s what makes it real — and relatable.”

Pasqua said staging both versions of The Odd Couple not only gives audiences a fresh experience each weekend, but also creates more roles for LCCC’s growing number of theatre majors.

“To be perfectly frank, I have a lot of theatre students right now, and I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to dive into a substantial role,” Pasqua said. “These two plays give us that opportunity — and we’re able to reuse the same set and most of the props, which helps us make it work on the production side.”

Pasqua previously directed both versions at Theatre West in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. That experience, combined with the familiarity of the material, allowed him to take on the challenge of directing both plays back-to-back while still making room for students to explore character nuance and comedic timing.

“The contrast in how tenderness or crassness plays out — depending on whether you’re watching Oscar and Felix or Olive and Florence — adds a whole new layer to the comedy,” Pasqua said. “Each cast brings its own rhythm, and audiences might be surprised at which moments land hardest.”

Admission is $10 and free for all students, including K-12, college and university students. The production is appropriate for all ages. Tickets are available at the door or online at lccc.wy.edu/theatreTickets.