*** The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.***

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

Chris Kennedy’s Director’s Notes

It has been a true honor to bring The Odd Couple to life on the stage of the Off Broadway Theatre. As one of Neil Simon’s most beloved and enduring works, this play continues to resonate for good reason. Beneath the sharp wit and rapid-fire dialogue lies a heartfelt exploration of friendship, loneliness, and the messiness of being human. Simon’s genius lies in his ability to hold a mirror up to our lives—making us laugh, sometimes uncomfortably, while gently reminding us of our shared struggles and need for connection.

Ever since I had the joy of performing in this show over a decade ago, it has held a special place in my heart. Each time I return to it, I discover something new—a deeper layer, a different truth, a fresh laugh. That’s the beauty of this play: its characters feel like familiar old friends, each flawed and fumbling in ways that remind us of ourselves.

Working with this incredible cast has been a true privilege. Watching them bring these characters to life with such honesty, humor, and heart has been a gift. They have breathed new life into every scene and revealed fresh angles of the story I hadn’t seen before.

Whether this is your first encounter with Oscar and Felix or your fiftieth, I hope this performance makes you laugh, reflect, and—most of all—feel a connection: to the characters, to the people you came with, and maybe even to parts of yourself. Thank you for joining us.

CAST BIOS

Kimberly Andersen as Cecily Pigeon

Kim loves to be both on stage and behind the scenes! Kim has played Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Barky in Forever Dead, Miss Kitty in The Grouch Who Stole Christmas, a Gypsy/Esmeralda’s understudy in Dracula vs The Hunchback, and many others at the Off Broadway Theatre! She was also the stage manager for Dracula vs Henry Botter. Kim hopes you enjoy the show and remember, if you don’t have wrinkles, you haven’t laughed enough!

Holly Anderson as Gwendolyn Pigeon

Holly Anderson has performed for many theaters, including the Hales and Lyrical Opera. She has directed for the Off Broadway Theatre and is excited to finally act for them. Her favorite roles include Lizzie in The Rain Maker, Diana in Lend Me a Tenor, and Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, where she met her husband.

Chase Arnold as Roy

Chase is excited to be in another show at the OBT, but this time it isn’t on the DHT stage, but at the Alliance Theater! Chase was last seen as Plankton in SpongeBob: The Musical last year and he teched Greece is the Word! That’s cool, right? You know what else is cool? Donating to the OBT. Trust him, he does it all the time! He hopes you enjoy the show.

Mary Brassard as Cecily Pigeon

Mary has been performing along the Wasatch Front since she was in her teens. Favorite roles include Madam Giry in Phantom of the Opera, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Sabrina in Sabrina Fair. For the last 15 years Mary has been running her dinner theater company – Salty Dinner Theater. A comedian at heart, Mary is a part of writing, producing, and even performing in Salty’s productions. “The sound of a full audience, laughing together at a character’s ad lib, is music to my ears.” She’s thrilled to share the stage with this incredible cast and appreciates the support of her wonderful husband and the tolerance (through gritted teeth) of her four children. 

Rusty Bringhurst as Oscar Madison

Rusty is a seasoned performer appearing in shows across the valley in his 30-year career. Highlights include A View from the Bridge and Death of a Salesman at The Grand, Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, Charlie’s Aunt, Utahoma! and Downton Dead at the OBT, The Hasty Heart and The Foreigner at HCT, and Oliver!, Bus Stop, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged at Center Pointe Theatre.  He thanks his children, Clue and Keats, their Mom, Sunny, and the love of his life, Melissa, for their support.

Matthew Davids as Speed

Matthew is excited to be performing in his 10th show with the OBT. He was last seen here as K’Nicco in Greece is the Word. Some of his favorite roles include Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and Laertes in Hamleton. The Odd Couple has been one his family’s favorite shows since he’s been alive, and he couldn’t be happier to be in it with such talent.

George DeLorean as Vinnie

George is a Utah-grown performer: multi-disciplined musician and composer, lyricist/librettist, screen and stage actor, voice-over artist, podcaster, stand-up comedian, story writer, and mangaka. This marks his sixth stage production, following his recent appearance as Frosch in Lyrical Opera Theater’s Die Fledermaus, and as music director and conductor for Sirens and Kraken with Taylor Productions.

Monique Derr as Gwendolyn Pigeon

Dr. Monique Derr has shared her passion for theater with audiences for more than 25 years. She minored in theater at the University of Utah and has studied acting with various broadway acting coaches and directors. She has co-hosted nationally syndicated television shows and has appeared in film, but live theater is her true love. Some of her favorite roles have been Marguerite from The Scarlet Pimpernel, Matilda’s Mrs. Wormwood, and most recently, Christine from Salty Dinner Theater’s Phantom of the Opera. She has been looking forward to an opportunity to perform with OBT and is thrilled to be a part of this comedic classic with such an incredible cast and production team!

Adam Frary as Murray

Adam is excited to return to the OBT stage. He was last seen in the OBT’s, The Scarlet Pimpernel. Adam was trained in the art of singing by church choirs and by trying to sing louder than his nine siblings. Several years ago, he turned his love for singing into a love for performing, and here we are.

Patrick Harris as Felix Unger

Patrick is ecstatic to be returning to the Off Broadway Theatre! He is a graduate of the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program. Some of his favorite roles have included Sir George Airy in The Busybody, Jack and Brassett in Charlie’s Aunt, and Felix almost a decade ago. He is delighted to reunite with friends of old and make new ones in this wonderfully supportive and talented cast. He sends his love to his family, friends, and better half, Rikki.

Eric Jensen as Murray

Eric has been performing in plays at the Off Broadway Theatre since its inception in 1994! As one of the founding members he has put his life’s work into making shows at the OBT fun for the family, actors, and patrons like you! The Odd Couple is one of his most beloved shows to watch. He directed it at CPT years ago and is excited to be acting in it now. He hopes you enjoy the hilarity of the show and this talented cast. Eric also works at Woods Cross Elementary. He is their theater/music teacher, and he enjoys that wholeheartedly. He thanks his lovely wife, Sandy, and his son, Austinn, for their wonderful and unwavering support.

Shea Potter as Speed

After a nearly 15-year hiatus from theater, Shea returned to the acting scene with OBT, and is now in his 6th production here. Previously he was in My School Musical, played Squidward in SpongeBob: The Musical, Professor Scape in Dracula vs. Henry Botter, Potzie in Greece is the Word, Robyn Hood in Robyn Hood 2, and now Speed in The Odd Couple. Thanks, Steph and fam, for your love and support. He hopes you all enjoy the show!

Boston Smith as Vinnie (and Assistant Director)

Since birth it seems, Boston has always had a longing for the stage. You might have recently seen them in Christmas Carol Part 2 as Tiny Tim, or as SpongeBob Squarepants in SpongeBob: The Musical. Boston is excited to be back at the OBT for their fifth consecutive year, this time also taking on a different role—assistant director. Their previous directing credit was as assistant director for OBT’s 2023 production of Seussical.

Lee Wailes as Roy

It is an odd feeling: after over a decade of stage management, Lee has finally decided to take to the stage as an actor. He “blames” Robbie Easton for this, whose excellent talent made him irreplaceable, forcing Lee to find other work in the production. The Odd Couple is one of his father’s favorite shows. His dad was responsible for Lee’s stage career, so it seemed only proper to be a part of this show in some way. “Thank you, Dad, for helping me be where I am now. And thank you, Chris, for giving me an opportunity with such a show that few others would.”

CREW BIOS

Robbie Easton – Stage Manager

Robbie is super excited to stage manage for The Off Broadway Theatre’s latest show, The Odd Couple! He’s been working with OBT for about four years now, acting, but this is his first chance as a stage manager. Don’t count him out though, as through his years he’s been able to give a lot of help to the stage managers in his past shows, helping wherever he can to make sure each show is smooth and polished. He can’t wait to keep this show on the road!

Viveann Godwin – Sound & Light Tech

Viveann is excited to be working again with her OBT family as the sound & light tech. She was first seen on the OBT stage in Peta Pun and the Pirates three years ago, and has done several roles on stage and off. Her favorite roles include Momma/Crocky, Dr Hamblin, Brassett, Mrs. Mayor, and running tech. She is grateful for the support of her son and family, especially her theater family.

Robbie Dalley – Sound and Light Consultant

A Primetime Emmy Award winner (yes, it is true!), Robbie has spent the past 20 years working all things tech for various groups, including the Sugar Factory Playhouse. He helped to start the OBT’s inhouse tech program and has continued to help push the boundaries of what is possible for our theater. Always behind the scenes, he is a dad to a great, soon-to-be-10-year-old son (Robbie), two cats (Penelope & Charlie), and a Corgi (Flora). He divides his non-theater time between work and family.

David Bellis – Laughing Stock Improv Tech

David has been the sound and light tech at the OBT for many years. He has been the sound and light tech for many of our  productions and has been a steadfast tech for our improv shows. David works full-time and spends many of his weekends helping out at the OBT, keeping the laughter going. Thanks David!

May 16 – June 7

August 15 – August 30

November 28 – December 20

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Clarence Strohn, trustee and chair
Jeff Driggs, trustee and vice chair
Brett Andersen, trustee and secretary
Bing Fang, trustee and past chair
Christopher Cheeney, trustee 
Monte Garcia, trustee
Sandy Jensen, trustee
Jim Morgan, trustee 
Kelly Wideman, trustee

OFFICERS

Eric R. Jensen, Co-Founder / Artistic & Technical Director
Sandy ThuyAnn Jensen, Co-Founder / Executive Director
Bing Fang, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Hicks, Treasurer
Kelly Wideman, Marketing Director

CONSULTANTS

Aaron Bellis, consultant
Nic Brown, consultant
Austinn Jensen, consultant
Daniel Gillette, consultat

ERIC R. AND SANDY HUBBLE JENSEN’S BIOS

Eric and Sandy are co-founders of the Off Broadway Theatre and Laughing Stock improv comedy troupe. They have worked closely for some 30 years, dedicating much of their time to building and growing the Off Broadway Theatre. They have been married for over 30 years and have one son, Austinn, who has grown up acting in numerous OBT and other productions.

Eric, the artistic and technical director for the OBT, grew up in Murray, Utah. He received his bachelor’s degree in theater arts at the University of Utah and his master’s degree in secondary education at the University of Phoenix. As executive producer and lead playwright, director, set designer, costumer, actor, and improviser, he guides many aspiring talents at the OBT. He teaches improv classes while mentoring up-and-coming playwrights, directors, stage managers, and set designers. His acting, writing, and directing experience has also been featured at Desert Star, CenterPoint Legacy, Hale (both Orem and West Valley), and Egyptian theaters. He has taught and performed high school workshops and elementary school assemblies, as well as for some after school programs. Eric also teaches K – 6 as a fine arts specialist in the Davis School District, inspiring children to love theatre, music, dance, and all things art. Under Eric’s leadership, OBT won the Best Community Theatre award from the Utah Theatre Association in 2020, recognizing the quality of the theatre and Eric’s work with high schools and the community.

Sandy serves as the executive director of the theatre, as well as executive producer, box office manager, and social media specialist, with more than 30 years of experience in small business management. She has an extensive acting background, including the OBT, Hale Centre Theatre WVC, The Grand Theatre, Sundance Theatre, Salt Lake Acting Company, Pages Lane, and Stage Right Theater. Sandy continues to work tirelessly to grow volunteer opportunities at the OBT. She was born in Vietnam and has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with endorsements in ESL, STEM, and Gifted. She teaches 1st grade in the Davis School District. She has earned two Presidential Awards for Volunteering and has been recognized in Who’s Who of America. 

The Off Broadway Theatre has been said to have a feel of “family,” and that’s because it is. Eric and Sandy’s mission has always been to provide a place where people can come together and make laughter ring true and provide a safe place to hone skills and develop friendships. Through the art of live performances, the theatre has reached many new friends, and its charitable outreach program has provided wonderful opportunities to serve our community. 

Eric and Sandy also co-founded Laughing Stock Improv and have performed together on the OBT stage as well as at corporate and school events. They are proud to have such a long-running improv show with some amazingly talented improvisers who have been with the company for a long time.

Thank you for your many years of support and patronage in Salt Lake City and Draper, and for following us here to the Alliance Theatre. Please continue to donate to help us forge another 30+ years of spreading laughter in Utah! Go to www.theOBT.org to donate today.