SRO Theater gearing up for three weekends of ‘Odd Couple: Female Version’ performances

In one of Standing Room Only (SRO) Theater’s final rehearsals for “Odd Couple: Female Version” on Friday, Feb. 6, cast members for the performance gave the Nisqually Valley News an exclusive preview of the high spirited, comedic and entertaining production.

SRO Theater will hold several performances of the “Odd Couple: Female Version” at Yelm Outpost Church, located 102 East Yelm Ave, on Friday, Feb. 13, Saturday, Feb. 14, Sunday, Feb. 15, Friday, Feb. 20, Saturday, Feb. 21, Sunday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 27, Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1.

Each of the shows on Fridays and Saturdays will begin at 7 p.m., while the Sunday showings will occur at 2 p.m. Doors open 30-minutes prior to the performance. Tickets cost $20, or $15 for seniors, students and military. You can purchase your tickets online at www.srotheater.org.

The upcoming performances of “Odd Couple: Female Version” will also serve as milestones for several members of the organization. For Charles Phillips, director, and Rae Simpson, assistant director, the upcoming shows mark the first two-act shows put on by SRO Theater since 2021.

“This was written in the 1980s by Neil Simon. It’s all comedy and it’s super funny. It really is just about, basically, a girls night in. It’s all about relationships,” Phillips said. “We’re very excited about this. It’s our first full two act play since 2021. We’re really excited about that for this year.”

Phillips said, during rehearsals on Friday, Feb. 6, that it feels great to see SRO Theater returning to presenting a full theatrical play experience. He noted that the local theater group will continue to present a wide variety of showings — but admitted that it felt good to get back to its roots.

“We’re really committed to doing mixed performances,” he said. “We want to get the word out more and let people know we do have a theater here in town. Because we don’t have an actual building with shingles out there, we really have to talk it up and rely on folks like our neighbors and word of mouth. We rely on that a lot for our theater.”

For Simpson, the upcoming performances of “Odd Couple: Female Version” will mark the first time she’s served in an assistant director role. The 20-year member of the local community theater group felt that it was time for a new challenge.

“I’ve been on stage, behind stage — but this is my first time assistant directing. It’s been quite a learning opportunity. It’s a great show,” Simpson said. “Odd Couple: Female Version, I gotta say is probably one of the best casted shows I’ve ever seen. Every performer is phenomenal. It’s so funny, absolutely funny.”

Simpson told the Nisqually Valley News that the show is set in the 1980s, and all of the costumes, hairstyles, props and set will be themed from that time period.

“We’re really going to take people back in time,” she said.

While taking on the new challenge of serving as assistant director, Simpson said the role has kept her very busy throughout the process of preparing for three weekends of performances.

“I feel responsible for making sure the props are good, making sure the set is done, making sure people know their lines. It’s a lot easier to just have one part. Charles (Phillips) has teased me and said that I need to know everybody’s lines,” Simpson said. “This is going to be a great Valentine’s Day show to see. Grab your loved ones, grab some dinner and then come and see the show. It’s going to be hilarious. Tell all your friends. We’re looking at future shows too.”

In total, Simpson noted that SRO Theater’s cast members, and those involved behind the scenes, have been preparing for “Odd Couple: Female Version” for the last four weeks.

“It’s been a really quick turnaround,” she said. “It’s a great show and I can’t say enough. We couldn’t have casted better people. Every role is perfect. I’ve seen this show multiple times over the last four weeks and I still laugh every time.”