Teh River Region Drama Guild to Stage Classic Comedy “The Odd Couple”
Tickets are now on sale for the River Region Drama Guild’s upcoming production of Neil Simon’s beloved comedy, “The Odd Couple,” set to run October 30th and November 1st through 2nd at the River region Performing Arts and Cultural Center. There will be 2:00 p.m. matinee showings on November 1st and 2nd. Tickets, starting at $15, are available for purchase at www.rrpa.org.
This production marks a significant milestone as the directorial debut of Justin Florent Rogers,a Hahnville High School alumnus and graduate of its Talented Theater program. Rogers has been actively involved with the River Region Drama Guild since the age of 13, with previous acting roles in productions of “Matilda,” “Alice by Heart,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The cast of “The Odd Couple” includes six members of the St. Charles Parish community, further demonstrating the Guild’s commitment to local talent. Supporting the production behind the scenes, three students from Destrehan High School will serve as Stage Manager Coby Trosclair, Assistant Stage Manager Sage McTee, and Prop Master Beau DeRoche.
“The Odd Couple” centers on the humorous clash between Felix Ungar, a meticulous and fastidious character, and Oscar Madison, a carefree and untidy sportswriter. After a divorce, Felix moves in with Oscar, resulting in a comedic exploration of contrasting personalities and chaotic living arrangements. According to a board member of the River Region Drama Guild, the play delves into universal themes of friendship, tolerance, and the challenges of coexistence.
“‘The Odd Couple’ is still relevant for today in that at its core it’s about two very different people learning to compromise and except each other’s differences,” the board member explained. “Plus, it’s a comedy and everyone loves a comedy.”
The River Region Performing Arts and Cultural Center, formerly the Goodhope School, is located at 15146 River Road in Norco. The Guild emphasizes its dedication to providing a welcoming and engaging space for theatergoers. The current cast ranges in age from 18 to 65, featuring Mitchell Kogan, Trey Lowry, Kevin Smathers, Violet Keller, Kathryn Salvaggio, Evan Johnson, Joyce Lucurto, Diavion Janae, Averi rojas, Alaina Markey, and Jaden House. Rojas also serves as the show’s assistant director, while Julianna Harding, a board member and secretary, is the producer.
Founded in 1994, the River Region Drama Guild is a non-profit community theater organization led by President Steven Fontenot and Vice President Ross Champagne. The board also includes Carolyn Berger, Darby Berthelot, Christina Cross, Justin Freitag, Kelli Hebert, Shelly Keller, Brandi LeBlanc, Sal Michon, erika Spengler, and Eddie Wallace.
The Guild’s commitment extends beyond “The Odd Couple,” with a full year of performances planned. These include “Finding Nemo, Kids” on December 13th and 14th, a “Pop Music Cabaret” on January 10th, and “Six: Teen Edition” from January 29th to February 1st. The organization also offers summer and winter workshops designed to nurture young performers and provide opportunities for youth shows.As 2021, the Guild has expanded its programming to include cabaret nights featuring performers of all ages, and aims to produce two non-musical plays annually.
The River Region Drama Guild’s performances are supported by grants from the United Way of St. Charles, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the Bayou Region Arts Council. For more data, residents can visit www.rrpa.org, email [email protected], or call 985-224-3562. The RRDG also maintains an active presence on Facebook.
