NAU Theatre and Theatrikos Theatre Company present summer festival
Theatrikos Theatre Company and Northern Arizona University Theatre have combined efforts for the second annual “Town and Gown Summer Theatre Production” with “The Odd Couple.”
The festival was made possible in part by a grant from the Flagstaff Community Foundation.
“The Odd Couple”, by Neil Simon, revolves around two mismatched roommates, one neat and uptight, the other more easygoing but slovenly. The production is directed by Darby Winterhalter Lofstrand, adjunct faculty in the Department of Theatre at NAU.
The 1965 classic comedy parodies the relationship between a man and woman by portraying the lives of two men who live together. “It’s about two men who are divorced, move in together to save money to pay their alimony, and have the same fights with each other as they did with their wives,” said playwright Simon. The play’s punch lines and witty banter will keep the audience laughing.
“Theatrikos and NAU Theatre are combining our strengths to produce one of the best things to happen this summer in the performing arts,” said Lofstrand.
The performance will feature community members Joe Maniglia as Oscar and Kriss Victor as Felix. Other characters will be played by community members Dennis Hattem as Speed, Dave Kelly as Vinnie, Becky Daggett as Gwendolen, and NAU Theatre student Lauren Klein as Cecily, NAU Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice Rob Schehr as Murray and NAU Forestry graduate student Donovan Wood as Roy.
“All of us at Theatrikos are extremely excited to be working with the faculty and staff of the NAU Theatre Department,” said Lynn Spence, managing director of Theatrikos. “This is a great opportunity to bring all of our talents together to put on a fun summer production.”
"The Odd Couple marks the second year of our great collaboration and it is off to a great start,” said Kathleen McGeever, chair of the NAU Department of Theatre. “We have a great cast, director, designers and staff!"
The production will be staged July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, at 8:00 p.m. and July 12, 19 and 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Clifford E. White Theatre. Advance tickets are available at the Central Ticket Office on the NAU Campus. Admission will be $2 more at the door. Call 928/523-5661 for tickets.
