Summerset Theatre is performing its third play for the summer season.

“The Odd Couple,” written by Neil Simon, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and runs through Aug. 2 at Riverland Community College’s Frank W. Bridges Theatre.

Riverland theater department director Lindsey Williams is excited for the upcoming performance. After a classic show, “Fiddler on the Roof,” and a contemporary show, “God of Carnage,” she is excited for one that fits in the middle.

“We like to try to find some balance in our season,” Williams said. “‘The Odd Couple’ is something that we haven’t done in a long time but has been popular with audiences in the past.”

Williams is excited for the show not only because of the script, but also because of the cast.

“[It’s] just a wonderful cast of local talent, a really strong group of actors,” Williams said.

John Deyo will direct the performance. Deyo has acted in Austin since he was 16 in several roles and performances. Along with acting, he has done stage design, lighting, costumes, makeup and more. But for this show, he’s trying something else: directing.

“I love acting, but this takes a whole different set of tools, and it’s a lot of fun,” Deyo said.

After seeing him in many shows, Williams is excited to see Deyo take the lead and said it will be something a little different with him behind the scenes.

“The Odd Couple” is about a pair of roommates who are both recovering from recent divorces. Felix Ungar is neat and uptight, while Oscar Madison is easygoing and slovenly. As the play progresses, familiar patters begin to emerge.

The play is a fitting one for Deyo to direct, as he watched the television show based on the play while growing up.

“I love this show,” Deyo said. “I grew up watching Oscar and Felix on TV. They were a part of my family.”

Deyo said the story of the two men are important to him, and he wanted to recreate the experience people had while watching the show during the 1970s and 1980s.

He wanted to make this show an experience that audiences would expect by using aspects from the TV show. Deyo used a similar set design for the show: a similar fireplace, couch and color schemes so audiences would feel familiar with what they saw.

“We just decided to give the audience what they expect,” Deyo said.

He has high hopes for audience turnout, due to the show being well-known, and he said it’s a show for the whole family. There is little adult language, but Summerset cut down the onstage smoking.

“I think the folks that come see it are really going to enjoy the show because of the performance these guys put on,” Deyo said. “It’s a unique experience every time you see it.”

‘The Odd Couple’

“The Odd Couple” will be held at Riverland Community College’s Frank W. Bridges Theatre in Austin’s east campus. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online at www.summersetaustin.org. Tickets cost $13 for adults and $9 for students under 16. For more information or to purchase tickets over the phone, call the theater at 507-433-0595.

Cast List

Oscar Madison…………James Zschunke

Felix Unger…………………….David Behling

Murray the Cop……….Robert J. Johnson

Vinnie…………………………..Scott Bryant

Speed……………………………….Eric Sippel

Roy………………………………….Paul Burger

Cecily………………………….Christy White

Gwendolyn………………………Claire Olson