‘The Odd Couple” Revival Stars Mike Gomez & Paul Rodriguez
Veteran San Diego Theater Director William Virchis Revamps Classic With a Latino Twist
By Elia Esparza
When Neil Simon sat down in 1964 and wrote The Odd Couple, he never envisioned this odd of a couple—Mike Gomez as Felix Unger and Paul Rodriguez as Oscar Madison! First, they’re not two white middle-aged men. This odd couple happens to be Latino: Gomez, a disciplined trained thespian with an impressive resume, and Rodriguez, an iconic Chicano stand-up comic.
Mike Gomez
As theater actors go, few rank higher on the scale of accomplishment than Mike Gomez. And fewer actors have a film resume that matches their theater experience. Mike is one of a handful of actors who created a role on under the direction of Luis Valdez in his original cast of Zoot Suit, then took that same role to Broadway and remained in the feature film version of the play.
Gomez shares the bill with Rodriguez in The Odd Couple starting September 17th to 28th at Horton Plaza’s Lyceum Theater in San Diego, CA. Directed by William Virchis, whose resume includes award-winning productions: Zoot Suit and Real Women Have Curves. Virchis is the artistic director for Teatro Máscara Mágica, where he’s produced diverse and culturally relevant productions since 1990. The production also features John Anderson, Rhys Green, Dave Rivas, Doug Friedman, Erika Toraya, and Danielle Levin.
When heralded director Virchis cast Gomez to pair with Paul Rodriguez, it was brilliant and calculated. No doubt the end result will be an even more fastidious Felix and sloppier Oscar than Neil Simon could have imagined. In this revival of The Odd Couple, we literally have a veteran theater animal in Mike Gomez opposite a freshman theater thespian who just happens to be pop culture super comic Paul Rodriguez.
In an interview with fabled DJ Frazer Smith, aired recently on Los Angeles rock station 95.5 KLOS, Rodriguez admitted to being nervous about the project. “It’s the first play I’ve ever done,” said Rodriguez. “When I do my stand-up act, it’s material I wrote and it’s just me on stage. In theater it’s so different. I have to memorize all my lines and all my cues. It’s really a challenge.”
Paul has nothing to worry about he couldn’t be performing with a better co-star than Mike Gomez.
A native of Dallas, Texas, Mike Gomez comes from a strong theater background and an impressive film and television list of credits. Best known for his film work in Clint Eastwood’s Heartbreak Ridge, Robert Redford’s The Milagro Beanfield War, the cult classic The Big Lebowski, and Yes Man.
I caught up with Mike recently after chasing him from here to San Diego. He’s one busy guy to pin down!
Latin Heat: After a career like you’ve had in films, TV and stage, in your wildest dream did you ever think you’d be one half of The Odd Couple?
Mike Gomez: No, it never entered my mind, although I’ve always loved the play, the movie and TV series. It is truly a sweet opportunity to play ‘Felix Unger.’ Who doesn’t know an ‘Oscar’ or a ‘Felix’? They represent a part of each and everyone of us. We all have a little of one or both of them. I think, there seems to be a lot of ‘Felix’ inside of me, according to friends and family—or so I’ve been told once they learned I was in the play. ‘Yup! I can see that! You’re Felix!’ I kept hearing. [He laughs].
Theater Director, William Virchis
LH: Bill Virchis said he was going to pretty much let the actors add their ‘own salsa’ to the roles. Have you added a Latino twist to the classic neat freak Felix?
MG: My version of ‘Felix’ is going to be different from everyone else based on who I am and how I see the character, and what I ‘discover’ about him as we rehearse and perform the play. I’ve been an actor a long time—blessed to have started studying at 19 at the Dallas Theater Center Academy. It’s a journey that we’re taking and a really exciting one at that. The shoes I’m looking to fill are ‘Felix Unger’s’ shoes.
LH: Why was it important for you to work on this production?
MG: For one, I love the play—and to have the opportunity to work again with Bill Virchis and to work with Paul Rodriguez, how could I say ‘no’? The production is a personal and professional challenge to me as an actor and artist. And, I do love a challenge. Also and just as important is the fact that this is an American classic. I think it is great and important that American actors of Latino descent perform in American classics.
LH: What’s it like working with Paul Rodriguez, going toe-to-toe with him on stage? Have you ever worked with him before?
MG: Paul is great to work with, the consummate professional, and a very talented artist. We’ve been in a couple of projects: Cheech Marin’s Born In East L.A. and Resurrection Blvd. But we’ve never actually had a chance to work so closely together. It’s very exciting for me.
LH: Tell us about your past work with Bill Virchis. How amazing is it to work with this theatrical great?
MG: I’ve worked with Bill in two productions: La Fiaca, an English translation of a Latin American play, which we did many years ago with our querido super talent, Luis Avalos along with Dan Guerrero and Renee Victor. The second was a pre-Broadway run of the musical Selena: A Celebration of Life, which was based on Selena Quintanilla’s life. It was produced out of San Antonio, Texas. I portrayed ‘Abraham Quintanilla,’ Selena’s father. As a director, Bill is incredible! He’s such an intensive, creative individual who skillfully and seamlessly guides an actor through the whole process. His insight on anything he is directing is mindboggling. We are so fortunate to have him as our director, our ship’s captain in a big way, to guide us through the The Odd Couple artistic journey.
LH: You are multi-talented. You like to dance, sing and bowl! Is there a ‘bolero’ or ‘salsa’ singing musical in your horizon?
MG: Yes, I’d love to bolero, salsa and sing my way in a musical! I’d love to sing and tap my way through Joel Grey’s role in Cabaret! That would be a lot of fun. There’s something about music in general that’s mystical and Godly.
LH: Any plans to expand your talents into writing, producing and direction?
MG: I actually have directed a number of stage plays and for ‘Actors Evening of Scenes’ for CBS and ABC. Directing is a different animal and I enjoyed it tremendously. The hardest part is letting go as a director to let the actors continue and take the project to the finish line. Writing is another animal. I’ve tried it and that’s a hard one for me. It takes a lot of discipline, passion and dedication. My respect to all writers! Not an easy thing for me. Not that I don’t have stories to tell because I do. But writing is definitely a learning curve for me. As for producing, maybe, we’ll see.
LH: Where do you see Latinos going in the entertainment industry from your personal perspective?
MG: I consider myself very lucky because since the start of my career, I have been a working actor in a profession where only five percent (5%) of the 140,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild make a living as actors on a yearly basis. I think what is most important for our Latino community is that we continue writing our own stories to celebrate and document the Latino-American experience in the U.S. We have to seek the opportunities to have more of our stories told. We have to continue giving life to our Latino artists so they can tell our stories.
LH: It is happening–
MG: Yes, it is happening but we’ve barely scratched the surface of the treasure trove of stories we have to share as a people in the United States. This collective effort will produce the next big advancement for Latinos impacting the entertainment industry. Then we can say, ‘Hollywood is putting out films and television programming that accurately represents how diverse that America truly is.
LH: Any advice you’d like to give the youngsters venturing into a life of performing arts?
MG: First of all, have confidence in the talent you’ve been given as an artist because your talent is literally a gift. And it needs to be used, and by using that gift you will discover that it will make you happy and that you can make a living by using it. That being said, whether you are an actor, singer, writer, producer or any performing artist, train as best you best can before you actually try and work professionally. This is important because your competition is the best in the world. This shouldn’t scare you but rather encourage you to be prepared and always be at the top of your game. I guarantee that if you’re prepared, if your trained and if you have confidence in your gift, you will work. You will find your place in the entertainment industry and leave your mark. And for Latino artists that are just starting out, I personally recommend they join professional organizations like NALIP and NOSOTROS because they will help you.
Thank you, Mike! I am sure you will be delivering a ‘Felix Unger’ like he’s never been seen before.
Ask any one about Mike Gomez and they’ll tell you he is one of the finest actors around. And, while Paul Rodriguez might be a household name in comedy with an impressive film and television resume, he’s blessed to play opposite such a talented and giving actor as Mike Gomez.
Can’t wait to see the chemistry between this Latino duo in this version of The Odd Couple. I wish Neil Simon would see it.
For more information on San Diego’s revival of The Odd Couple, http://teatromascaramagica.org/?p=654 or http://www.sdrep.org
Order tickets now through the Lyceum Theatre Box Office: 619-544-1000.
About Mike Gomez Best known for his performances in The Big Lebowski and Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gomez has costarred in numerous films including Heartbreak Ridge and Milagro Beanfield War, Zoot Suit, The Border, and El Norte, to name a few. His TV credits include: Criminal Minds, Bones, The Shield, Resurrection Blvd, Desperate Housewives, and a series regular role as Capt. Gallardo on NBC’s Hunter, among many others. His theater credits: Zoot Suit at the Winter Garden on Broadway and the Pre-Broadway run of Selena. For more Mike Gomez info, contact: Jerry Velasco & Associates, velascojgv@aol.com
About Teatro Máscara Mágica: Co-founded by William Virchis and Jorge Huerta in 1989 to increase the production of multicultural theatre and to provide professional theatrical opportunities to underrepresented segments of the population. Virchis is the Producing Artistic Director of Teatro Máscara Mágica.
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