In this review, Taubman recounts the Broadway debut o/The Odd Couple and praises Simon's comedic skills.

The opening scene in The Odd Couple, of the boys in their regular Friday night poker game, is one of the funniest card sessions ever held on a stage

If you are worried that there is nothing Neil Simon, the author, or Mike Nichols, his director, can think of to top that scene, relax The main business of the new comedy, which opened last night at the Plymouth Theatre, has scarcely begun, and Mr, Simon, Mr, Nichols and their excellent cast, headed by Art Carney and Walter Matthau, have scores of unexpected ways prepared to keep you smiling, chuckling and guffawing.

Mr. Simon has hit upon an idea that could occur to any playwright. His odd couple are two men, one divorced and living in dejected and disheveled splendor in...