"The Odd Couple" Plays for Charity at Maria Regina this Weekend

The Sarah Grace Foundation is presenting a theatrical presentation of "The Odd Couple" at in Seaford. All proceeds from the tickets will go to toward the foundation, which is aimed at assisting children with cancer on Long Island.

The Hicksville-based Sarah Grace Foundation is run by Matt and Marissa Weippert, who started the charity after their daughter, Sarah Grace Weippert, died from cancer. Its main goal is to benefit children who are dealing with cancer and to help raise the morale and lower the financial burden of the families who have children with cancer. Often they will try and make sure that siblings receive gifts so that they are comfortable during their difficult time battling thee disease.

The foundation also works to raise awareness about the number of young children who are suffering from cancer both on Long Island and nationwide. The Weipperts’ son, James, proposed the idea of performing a play to raise money for the foundation.

James Weippert approached Dave Coonan, a director from Malverne, and asked him to a direct the play for the foundation. Coonan chose "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon, who is one of his favorite writers.

 “I wanted something tried and true,” said Coonan. “I wanted to find something that was comedic, that was funny... something that would bring in a large audience.”

The decision to do the play came in February but not until the start of May did Coonan get the rights to direct "The Odd Couple." This gave those involved in the production seven weeks to rehearse which is shorter than optimal but it led to a team effort. Coonan said.

“Everyone pitched in,” said Coonan. “Even the smallest part was important because everyone had to do more than one thing to make it work. It all worked and in the end it came out looking like a really professional play.”

Coonan emphasized that part of the motivation for the cast and crew coming together was its commitment to helping the Sarah Grace Foundation.” Everyone here is really excited to be doing this for charity,” said Coonan. “It makes it a lot of fun and it gives me the chance to direct a play.”

"The Odd Couple" will be playing at Maria Regina on Friday and Saturday this weekend starting at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $10 per person. For further information call 516- 433-9745.