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Cedar City • No one has done a better job of plumbing the American psyche for laughs than Neil Simon. For more than 40 years, Simon has been creating plays that make Americans laugh at the ups and downs of their lives. He has received more Tony nominations than any other playwright.

But the secret of Simon's success and enduring popularity is that his comedies are more than a collection of one-liners. As J.R. Sullivan, director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival's just-opened production of "The Odd Couple," comments, "Comedy usually starts with a tragedy for someone else and, certainly, with high anxiety."

At the heart of "The Odd Couple," which won the 1965 Tony Award and is one of Simon's most-produced plays, is the disruption of divorce. When Oscar and Felix, best friends and poker-playing buddies, are thrown together by the dissolution of their marriages, their relationship ironically disintegrates into its own dysfunctional marriage, with Oscar cast as the oblivious husband and Felix as the nagging wife.

The audience can see this coming from the beginning because the two men's temperaments are so diametrically different. Felix is a nervous neatnik; "I tell the whole world my problems," he admits. "It's impossible to live with me. I drive everyone crazy." He's obsessed with doing everything the right way, his way. "I cooked myself right out of a marriage," he tells Oscar. "I take pride in what I do."

Oscar couldn't care less about the details of his life; he struggles just to get by. He's consistently late with payments to his ex-wife, and his air conditioner and refrigerator have been broken for weeks. "You're one of the biggest slobs in the world," Felix tells him, and Oscar admits, "How can I help you? I can't even help me."

Festival favorite actors/co-artistic directors David Ivers and Brian Vaughn thought it would be interesting to alternate in the play's leading roles. To make things even crazier, they are letting the audience decide who plays whom at Saturday performances. Seeing both versions not only makes the play more fun but illuminates different aspects of the characters.

Ivers' Felix is more neurotic and insecure; he seems at a loss to cope with the slightest change. Vaughn's Felix is more of a whiner and manipulator; he tries to find ways to control every situation. Vaughn's Oscar is crass and seems deliberately self-centered. Ivers acts more thoughtless and overwhelmed; when things don't go his way, he gets frustrated and yells.

One telling — and funny — difference is the way they use the furniture. Ivers' Felix shrinks into a chair, looking as if he wants to disappear. Vaughn searches for the right position and sits primly, as if he is at some stodgy men's club. When Ivers' Oscar lies on the sofa, he hangs his feet over the end like an overgrown kid, whereas Vaughn simply sprawls sloppily on it.

The supporting cast is smart-mouthed and savvy. John Plumpis, Rex Young, Paul Michael Sandberg and Kipp Moorman play Felix and Oscar's poker buddies with a mix of carping complaints and concern; as Young's Murray says of Felix, "We all know he's impossible, but he's our friend." And Melinda Parrett and Melissa Graves alternately cackle and coo as the Pigeon sisters, cleverly named Gwendolyn and Cecily after the characters in Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Sullivan, who collaborated with Ivers and Vaughn on "Stones in His Pockets," directs with his usual comic flair and impeccable timing. Jo Winiarski's contemporary living-room set is appropriately cluttered and smoky; even the pictures on the wall are crooked. Bill Black's stylish costumes carry us back to the 1960s.

Seeing "The Odd Couple" 50 years after its debut validates the timelessness of Simon's comic sensibility; the play is as fresh and funny as ever. And this production gives two gifted actors a rare opportunity to show off their unique comic talents and versatility. —

'The Odd Couple'

Neil Simon's classic comedy proves its timelessness in Utah Shakespeare Festival's funny and at times touching production.

When • Reviewed Sept. 20 and 22; plays in rotating repertory with "The Cocoanuts" through Oct. 22

Where • Randall Jones Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, 299 W. Center St., Cedar City

Tickets • $32 to $73; discounts for groups, students and seniors; 800-PLAYTIX or bard.org

Running time • 2 ½ hours (including two intermissions)