Mt. Baker Secondary School is nostalgically revisiting the 80s in its upcoming theatre production, The Odd Couple.
The play takes viewers back to a time when bright colours and big hair were in vogue and disco reigned supreme. The plot centres around Olive and Florence, two women in their late 30s who move in together after their long-term relationships end. One is a neat freak and the other slovenly, but the unlikely duo find themselves united by circumstance.
Together, they navigate a new chapter of their life with help from friends, who join them for games of Trivial Pursuit on the weekend. The group reminisces on their youths, when they cruised the streets in Thunderbirds and listened to hits from The Four Seasons and Bill Haley & His Comets.
“I think anybody who lived through the 80s is going to find it funny. It’s a lot of pop culture references. Lots of 80s lingo,” said director Emily McCue.
Kailyn Rohrig and Falyne Hauprich star as Olive and Florence in this lively comedy. Their loyal posse, played by Edison Wilmot, Avery Tomlin, Charlee Organ and Kate McInnes provide camaraderie not unlike that found in the hit 90s TV show Friends.
Two French brothers, Jesus and Manolo, who live in the apartment next-door to the ladies, are swept into their lives. Finn McBurney and Hudson Gross portray these memorable characters.
The play runs from Dec. 7 to 9 at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. at Key City Theatre. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for youth age 12 to 17 and $10 for children under 12.
Written by Neil Simon, the play premiered on Broadway in 1965. It originally featured two male roommates and the female-centric version was released in 1985.
This isn’t the first time Mount Baker has shown The Odd Couple. When McCue was young she attended the high school’s previous production.
“When I was in grade seven or eight, they did it here and I went and saw it. It was directed by Dave Hill who is the principal here now. I remember leaving with my stomach hurting because I was laughing so much. I just loved it. I thought, ‘I want to do that same show that made me want to be at Baker so bad.’”
McCue is a new addition to Mount Baker’s drama department, having started teaching at the school in September. This is the first play she’s ever directed and she said she’s excited for the creative journey.
“There’s lots of excitement … I think [the students] they’re going to do a great job. They’ve been working really hard,” she said.
“It’s my passion. This is where I want to be.”
