There are enough couples in this Community Arts Theater Society (CATS) production to make for a unique shoe, even if one pair wasn’t “odd.”

    For starters there’s two Johns, Grandi and Wells, in The Odd Couple starring roles of Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar, respectively. Then there’s two Elenas, Peavy and Elaina Winters, pronounced though not spelled the same way—close enough.

    Indeed it’s the pairings that make CATS’ spring production a must see at the Performing Arts Center, beginning with the discount preview on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Grandi, the consummate Oscar with gruff voice, reprises the role he drew rave reviews for when CATS last presented The Odd Couple a decade ago in 2000, and also in 1998.

    This time around, he teams with Channel 6 television personality John Wells, who plays neatnik sidekick Felix. Wells is a CATS veteran and has appeared in many productions including The Lion in Winter, Oliver!, Oklahoma, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Most recently, he was Scrooge’s nephew Fred in the holiday production of A Christmas Carol.

    “This is the first time Wells has done (Felix),” said director Karen “Sarge” Rachels. “John and John together are marvelous. They’re so funny together. Everyone knows who he is from television so they know the pairing.”

    Grandi is considered “Mr. Big Bear” and this is his third time playing Oscar. “He’s the consummate professional,” Rachels said of Grandi, whose career includes not just stage but also music including Big Band credits. “Oscar is nothing like John Grandi, by the way. He’s more like Felix, a very neat person.”

    The two Johns star in what is arguably one of the most successful shows ever staged. The Odd Couple, written by Neil Simon in 1965, seemingly is always playing somewhere. It’s one of the few hit Broadway plays that transcended successfully into not just a movie—one with a sequel, mind you—but also a long-running television sit-com starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall that still airs in syndication all over the world. In fact, it’s virtually never been off the air!

    “This show could not be written today, with two guys living together,” Rachels said. “There would be a different take on it. These are two guys who without their wifes are absolutely lost. They become each other’s wife, and the poker club is their group therapy.”

    Peavy and Winters are hilarious as the free-spirited Pigeon Sisters. “The roles were originally written as proper English girls, and the two Elenas are just a total hoot,” Rachels said. “It’s particularly tough not to enjoy their performances.”

    Rounding out the cast is a hilarious collection of CATS talent that includes Jim Weyant as Speed, Steve Combs as Murray, Jan Janofsky as Vinny, and Bob Butkus as Roy. All are stage veterans, and in a rarity for CATS shows there’s not a single youngster. Instead The Odd Couple showcases seasoned company talent...even special effects take a backseat in this one.

    The heavy workload, of course, falls on Grandi, who is on stage in virtually every scene. When CATS presents The Music Man from June 25-July 11, Grandi portrays blustery Mayor Shinn.

    Tickets for the March 26 discount preview are bargain-priced at $12-$14, seniors $11-$13, child $9. Subsequent 7:30 p.m. performances are on March 27 and 31 along with April 2-3, 7, and 9-10, with 1:30 p.m. matinees on March 28 and April 11.

    Ticket prices vary by performance; see the calendar on page 13 for the schedule.

    Call the PAC at (909) 866-4970.