Hernando, Miss. – Just as spring brings renewed life to the plants and animals, Hernando-based Kudzu Playhouse is bringing sidesplitting comedy to the stage in the form of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple (Female Version),” which runs April 17-26 at the Hernando Performing Arts Center located at 805 Dilworth Lane in Hernando, Miss.

“The Odd Couple (Female Version)” is slated to be the playhouse’s first non-musical production of their 2015 season and the timing could not possibly be better. On Feb. 19, CBS began a run of its own “The Odd Couple,” starring Thomas Lennon and Matthew Perry.

Joi Taylor, who is the current executive director and president of Kudzu Playhouse, could not be more pleased with “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” being on this season’s lineup of Kudzu shows.

“Everyone is mostly familiar with the male version,” Taylor said. They’re just not as familiar with the girls’ version of it; so it’s a fun twist on it, but it’s equally hilarious in its own way. It’s a great adventure and just a lot of fun to sit and listen to.”

Tickets for the shows are $12 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Friday and Saturday night performances will begin at 7 p.m., and Sunday afternoon performances will begin at 2 p.m.

Theatrical mastermind Simon penned the original script in 1965. The story follows Oscar Madison and his attempt at civility after he invites Felix Ungar to become his roommate after Ungar is kicked out of his home by his wife. Differences of opinions and different habits, all illustrated by witty arguments and hysterical standoffs, lead Oscar to quickly regret his decision to extend an invitation to Felix. Only after Oscar expresses his frustrations to his close circle of friends does he realize that he has been quick to judge and insensitive of Felix’s situation.

“The Odd Couple” has made its rounds through many different entertainment mediums. The comedy made its successful Broadway debut in 1965. Since then, the story has been made into a film directed by Gene Saks starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, an ABC sitcom which ran from 1970-1975, and even a cartoon version in the fall of ’75 called “The Oddball Couple” which starred a cat named Spiffy and a dog named Fleabag. Then, in 1985, Simon revised the script to accommodate a female cast. Oscar and Felix were replaced by Olive and Florence and “The Odd Couple (Female Version)” was born, retaining the same hilarity that audiences had grown to love only this time being interpreted by the opposite gender.

Tobie Pillstrom, a teacher at DeSoto Central Middle School in Southaven, dons the role of Florence Ungar for Kudzu’s production. While she is not new to the stage, this will be Pillstrom’s debut in a non-musical production.

“It’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Pillstrom said of the learning process.

Pillstrom’s costar, Ashley Hawkins, takes on the role of Olive Madison and together the two bring the story of the two hopeless habitants to life.

“I love working with Ashley, she’s hilarious,” Pillstrom said of Hawkins. “She makes me feel like I can be funny.”

Hawkins and Pillstrom are just two of the performers in the talented cast that director Joe Ranager has to work with in order to bring this spirited story to life. Ranager, who steps up to the director’s chair for the fifth time for Kudzu Playhouse, was unsure of undertaking the task of directing “The Odd Couple (Female Version).”

“When I was asked to direct it I said I’ve got to read the script first to see what it’s all about,” Ranager stated.  “And when I started reading it, I was laughing out loud myself and I said, ‘I’ve got to be a part of this.’”

Ranager’s acceptance of the directorial job was welcomed news by Taylor.

“When I threw this one at Joe, he kind of looked at me like a deer in the headlights,” Taylor said, laughing. “He wasn’t sure about it, he wanted to read the script first. I got a call back from him not long after that, I don’t think he even got all the way through the script before he decided that he really wanted to be involved and thought it was hysterical.”

Ranager’s hesitations soon vanished as he embraced the show and its colorful cast of characters.

“It’s full of laughter and chaos and friendship, and just a good show,” Ranager said.

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