By Robert Simonson
20 Jun 2007

Jason Alexander

Jason Alexander may star in a special presentation of Neil Simon's classic comedy The Odd Couple in Los Angeles. It will be his first move as the new artistic director of Reprise! to make play readings part of the season mix at the Los Angeles-based musical theatre company.

Alexander told Playbill.com that he had secured the rights to the play, which was seen recently on Broadway in a production that starred Nathan Lane as Oscar and Matthew Broderick as Felix.

"I wanted to do an absolute crowd-pleaser," said Alexander. "And since my friend Marty Short and I tend to follow in Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick's footsteps, it's my intention to see if Marty might want to do it with me for a couple nights." Short has not yet confirmed his involvement, the actor added.

Alexander and Short previously starred as Max and Leo in the Los Angeles premiere of The Producers. Lane and Broderick created those roles on Broadway.

Alexander hopes to present two or three four-performance play presentations as part of the Reprise! season in the future. Reprise! is presently best known for its concert presentations of forgotten or neglected musicals.

Alexander directed this past season's Reprise! mounting of Sunday in the Park with George. The actor hopes to plan more diverse work, which may include a production of Damn Yankees featuring an African-American and Latino cast. Alexander would also like to bring high-profile actors into the casts of the Reprise! productions.

As previously announced, the Reprise! Broadway's Best series will expand from a three to a four-show season in 2007-2008. The series at UCLA's Freud Playhouse will include productions of On Your Toes, Damn Yankees, Li'l Abner and Flora, the Red Menace.