Now Now, Big Girls Don't CRY

Yes yes, it's true: tears were flowing heavily at the Allen Bales Theatre for The Odd Couple's opening night, this past Tuesday, but not the kind of tears you're thinking of. Bursts of laughter, I'm sure, could be heard from outside the theatre as leads, Olive and Florence's provocative humor demanded attention; knee-slapping attention, that is. With witty Trivial Pursuit hilarity, two zany Spaniards, six eccentric and quirky women, and some actual heart-tugging themes throughout, The Odd Couple is not one you should skip out on this semester.
When poor, helpless Florence "Flo" Unger (Jessie Towey), gets divorced from her husband and threatens to kill herself, she's got nowhere to go except for her dear friend, Olive Madison's (Kristi Wiley) apartment. Between an avid game of Trivial Pursuit and the latest gossip, the rest of the gang; Sylvie, Micky, Renee, and Vera attempt to ease her frustration with some pretty funny suggestions. It's decided that uptight, obsessive compulsive, neat-freak Flo will move in with sloppy, lazy, go-with-the-flow Olive so that she'll have a place to stay. As time passes, the two are at each other's throats, and Olive soon realizes she can no longer have her especially messy apartment "messed up" by Flo who basically follows her with a feather duster. Though, by chance the two get thrown into dinner plans with the especially good-looking Spanish brothers down the hall and learn a little more about the other's point of view. Enough is enough, though, and Olive kicks poor Flo out; But it turns out to be a good thing! The two end up learning what self-respect looks like through each other's flaws.
As far as the set went, I wasn't impressed. Though quite functional, it seemed to be mismatched, and it clashed with the various characters' costumes. Couches, tables, and wall hangings just didn't look right. I have to give it to scenic designer Tracey Gamble for constructing a practical layout that was serviceable to the audience from all sides.
And acting! Did I forget acting?! Well, before I move to the leading characters, I have to give it up to Regan Stevens, a freshman this year, who played the impatient Sylvie. Her flawless New York accent was all-too convincing while her facial expressions and subtle, furtive glances caught my eye every time she was on stage. Furthermore, leads Wiley and Towey provided the play with rivaling talent. Wiley threw herself about stage fearlessly, not missing a beat with every joke, scowl, and toss of the newspaper. Her talent was obvious, yet I wondered if she could play any other type of character; Her sarcasm and wittiness seemed almost inherent. Towey really showed off her ability, as well though it seemed a little less natural. She perfectly embodied the typical obsessive, "neat and tidy" wife role and did a fabulous job at driving everyone crazy.
The disappointments were minimal, the merriment in great supply. So, don't miss this one, ladies and gents. Its sure to give you some hearty chuckles and perhaps even some loud one, and you're definitely in for a truly important life lesson: Big girls don't cry.