About the ‘Odd Couple’

“The Odd Couple,” by Neil Simon opened on Broadway in 1965 at the Plymouth Theatre and was transferred to the Eugene O’Neill Theatre where it closed more than two years later with 966 performances.

Mike Nichols directed the production which starred Walter Matthau as Oscar Madison and Art Carney as Felix Ungar.

“The Odd Couple” earned Tony Awards for Matthau for Best Actor, as well as Best Author, Best Direction of a Play and Best Scenic Design. It was also nominated for Best Play.

Other actors to play Madison include Jack Klugman and Pat Hingle. Eddie Bracken and Paul Dooley later played Ungar.

In 1985 Simon rewrote the play for two female leads.

“The Odd Couple” was later made into two movies and three television series.

The 1968 film was also written by Simon, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his work.

Tags: diversions, entertainment, theater, performances