RP
Roger Pichardo
  • Queens, NY

Roger Pichardo to Appear on Stage In the Female Odd Couple

2012 Oct 24

Cazenovia College will present a production of The Female Odd Couple, a 1985 adaptation by Neil Simon of his 1965 Broadway hit, The Odd Couple. The production will be staged on two weekends, Friday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 11, and Friday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 18. Saturday and Sunday performances begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. Admission for adults is $10, for students $5.

Roger Pichardo, of Queens, N.Y., is cast in the role of Jusus Costanzuela. Pichardo is a sophomore at Cazenovia College, majoring in psychology, and is a graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn N.Y.

Director of the play is David Lowenstein, Cazenovia College's artist in residence. He says, "This is our first time tackling a classic American comedy by the classic American comic playwright. Our focus is on developing real relationships between the characters and then allowing the extreme circumstances to dictate the actions that make the audience relate. It is the audiences' recognition that manifests in laughter. This year, to involve all the talented students who auditioned, I have cast understudies, who will each perform in at least one show during the run."

Students are involved in every aspect of the production, including costuming and set design. Lowenstein notes, "The female version is set in 1985 and we will be looking at those specifics to be clear in our production design choices."

The Odd Couple premiered on Broadway in 1965, and was followed by a successful film and television series, as well as other derivative works and spin-offs. The Female Odd Couple is based on the same story line and same lead characters, renamed Florence Unger and Olive Madison. The poker game became Trivial Pursuit, and their friends were renamed Mickie, Sylvie, Vera, and Renee. The Pigeon sisters became the Costazuela brothers, Manolo and Jesus.

The Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College is located at 16 Lincklaen Street in Cazenovia, N.Y. Event tickets are available at the door before the event, and may also be purchased by calling 315-655-7827 (STAR), and at Cazenovia Jewelry, Albany Street in Cazenovia. For event information contact Colleen Prossner, theatre manager, at 315-655-7238 or cprossner@cazenovia.edu.

The theatre is named in memory of Catherine Cummings, a 1925 alumna who had benefitted greatly by her opportunity to attend the College. Thanks to the Gorman Foundation of Sherrill, N.Y., the Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College will provide a venue for cultural events such as plays and concerts. For more information, visit www.cazenovia.edu/theatre.