THE ODD COUPLE Runs Now thru 2/16 at Chattanooga Theatre Centre

Neil Simon's comic masterpiece, "The Odd Couple" - both the original men's version and Mr. Simon's rewrite for women - will be performed in repertory on the Mildred M. Montague Circle Stage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre today, January 24 through February 16.

The hilarious plot centers on a pair of mismatched characters who are forced to cohabitate. One is careless and sloppy, the other a neurotic neat freak. Together they make arguably one of the most memorable pair of roommates ever written, in league with Lavern & Shirley or Bert & Ernie.

The play came to Broadway in 1965 and, twenty years later, Simon adapted the play to feature a pair of female roommates. Felix and Oscar became Florence and Olive. Beth Gumnick directs both the male and female versions of the story and, to make things even more challenging, Gumnick has cast some actors in roles in both productions.

In the women's version, which opens the series Friday, January 24, Carlene Conway plays the unkempt Olive and Katlyn Gabor is cast as the tidy Florence. In the men's version, opening the following night, Zach DeSutter is Oscar and Sanford Knox, Jr., is Felix. Gabor, DeSutter, and Knox all do double duty - appearing in supporting roles in the opposite production.

Tickets are $30 opening night, $25 other public performances; $12.50 side section seating available for Thursday and Sunday performances. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the box office (423) 267-8534 or online at TheatreCentre.com. The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is located at 400 River Street on Chattanooga's NorthShore.