Upcoming Show:
OCT 10-13 - THE ODD COUPLE BY NEIL SIMON.
POLANENTHEATER, AMSTERDAM.
Directed by Jon Calado.
Co-directed by Brian Ligthart.
Cast:
Moamen Elsawy.
Omar Mahmoud.
Sean A Olson-Roy.
Jared Penner.
Katya Petrova
Camille Gribbons.
Eoghan Kellher.
Brian Ligthart
SUMMARY
This classic comedy opens on a friendly card game in the untidy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it’s no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Ungar, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together. The action unfolds with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born.
HISTORY
The Odd Couple was first presented on Broadway by Saint Subber at the Plymouth Theatre in New York City on March 10, 1965.
It was directed by Mike Nichols.
ACCOLADES
Winner! 1965 Tony Award, Best Author of a Play.
Nominee! 1965 Tony Award, Best Play.
Meet the Cast:
Moamen Elsawy OSCAR MADISON Momen Elsawy is an Egyptian actor who somehow found his way to the theater scene in Amsterdam. With over 12 years of experience in theater and film, Momen’s acting journey started back at the German University in Cairo, where he thought, “Why not start a theater team?” and roped in a few friends to join the fun. Since then, he’s been learning the ropes (sometimes literally) in English and Dutch and embracing every chance to hone his craft. Whether he’s getting laughs in a comedy improv or delivering a dramatic monologue, Momen just loves being part of a great story. Right now, he’s having a blast playing Oscar in "The Odd Couple," and he’s just happy to be here, doing what he loves—and occasionally getting a good laugh out of it! 
Camille Gribbons
GWENDOLYN PIGEON Camille, originally from the US, works in tech as a UX designer by day. She spends all her hours outside of work dedicated to the Amsterdam theatre community, whether that be producing, handling marketing and PR, helping run theatre companies, promoting local shows on her radio show Onstage Amsterdam (BRAM RADIO), or her favorite thing of all, performing. In the past few years, Camille has been seen as Roxie Hart in Chicago (HEA), Lisa in Next Thing You Know (Cauldron), Schwartzy in Spelling Bee (Cauldron), Emcee in Cabaret (QETC), Kate Monster in Avenue Q (HEA), The Little Mermaid in Disenchanted! (Cauldron), Deb in Ordinary Days (HEA), and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors (HEA). It is Camille's dream to be a local celebrity, so if you recognize her out and about, please feel free to say hi to help feed her delusions of grandeur. 
Eoghan Kellher
ROY Eoghan is delighted to be performing on stage once again. Most recently he's been involved in The Inplayer's production of Noir Suspicions and The Inplayers & Downstage Left's production of It's a Wonderful Life. Eoghan has also recently learned how to play poker. 
Sean A Olson-Roy
SPEED Sean grew up in a musical theater household and--much to the joy of his children and neighbors--has never stopped singing. After a brief 30 year hiatus from the stage to work in logistics in the US and Luxembourg, he retired in 2019 and moved with his family to Amsterdam. He found the English language theater community in 2020 and this is his fifth production in Amsterdam. Fun fact: Sean once performed in the famed Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC for Willard Scott on the Today Show. |
Omar Mahmoud
FELIX UNGAR Omar has been passionate about acting since childhood. Although he acted in school even but his real start was during his university years in Egypt where he participated in multiple plays and short movies. After moving back to the Netherlands he had a pause of a few years after which he picked up Dutch theater acting and in front of camera acting and one thing led to another and he ended up as part of the English theater community recently. 
Brian Ligthart
VINNIE Brian has been acting since 2013 and has been in multiple groups like InPlayers, Downstage Left, Playhouse and the Badhuistheater, in plays like “Don´t Dress for Dinner” by Marc Camoletti, “The Arsonists” by Max Frisch, ''Noir Suspicions'' by David Landau “The Portuguese Kid” by John Patrick Shanley, “It´s a Wonderful Life” by Joe Landry, and “Black Adder” and “Allo Allo”. Many more to name, this are just some of the highlights. He is one of the founders of Playhouse. Usually he is co-directing and producing with these groups. This time he also plays one of the pokker buddies of Oscar and Felix called Vinnie. 
Jared Penner
MURRAY After years of being a dedicated patron of the theater in both Canada and the Netherlands, Jared reignited his passion for community stage productions here in Amsterdam in 2019. He first took part in Allo Allo through Mike's BadhuisTheater, then participated in various campfire nights of one act plays with Downstage Left. He is thrilled the cast for his first Playhouse Theatergroup production, channeling his inner New York City cop for the Odd Couple. 
Katya Petrova
CECILY PIGEON Katya has been part of Amsterdam amateur theatre since 2018, both on and off stage. Her acting credits include: "Cabaret", "Virtuous Burglar", "Noir Suspicious"(InPlayers), "Allo Allo", "Good soldier Sveik"(Badhuis Theater), "It's a Wonderful Life", "Campfire" play readings, "The Arsonists" (Downstage Left) and "Portuguese Kid" (Playhouse Theater). Besides being on stage she enjoys occasional stage manager and production lead projects. Katya is super excited to join "The Odd Couple" and explore her British accent(or lack of it) as one of Pigeon Sisters. |
Other shows to watch:
Blood Brothers ''Blood Brothers'' by Happily Ever After Productions 5 Sept 2024 – 8 Sept 2024 
A Chorus Line
''A Chorus Line'' by Happily Ever After Productions 13 Nov 2024 – 17 Nov 2024 |
I'm Home
''I'm Home'' by Denis Burke. 01,15,22,29 Sept 2024 
La Cage Aux Folles
''La Cage Aux Folles'' by Queen's English Theatre Company 20 Nov 2024 – 15 Dec 2024 |
Dogfight
''Dogfight'' by Stichting MAE. 28 Sept 2024 – 29 Sept 2024 |
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