Van Pearlberg steps out of his roles as Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney and Marietta City Councilman and onto the stage Friday.

"Anytime you have the opportunity to do something fun and work for the community and raise money for a worthy cause, it's a win-win situation," Pearlberg said.

Pearlberg will join a cast of community leaders in presenting Neil Simon's The Odd Couple at the Strand Theatre. The Odd Couple pits the uptight neat-freak Felix (Bert Reeves, attorney at Turner, Bachman & Garrett LLC) against the broody laze of Oscar (Pearlberg) in a dangerous arena: living together as newly-singled roommates.

"Oscar is a cigar smoking, gambling sports writer," Pearlberg said. "He lies to his wife, gambles, owes everybody money and drinks like a fish. It's a fun character to play."

As for his costar, Pearlberg said, "Bert is very much like the roll of Felix. He's very easy to work with, and he's very focused. He's a professional in everything he does."

The cast also includes Kim Gresh, president of SA White Oil Co.; Bob Ott, Cobb County Commissioner; Cassandra Buckalew, owner of The Historic Marietta Trolley; Steve Imler, retired businessman; Murray Sarkin, a local actor; and Andrew Cole, Strand's Events and Bar Manager. Earl Reece will be directing and Cassi Costoulas and members of the Strand staff will act as assistant directors.

"It's incredible," Pearlberg said of the backstage atmosphere. "The Strand is a wonderful place for anyone to perform. The theater is magnificent, the people who work there are incredibly enthusiastic, and the cast is a great group of people."

While Pearlberg has done a lot of acting over the last 30 years, he made his debut at the Strand in last year's performance of The Sunshine Boys. He admitted that Willie Clark of The Sunshine Boys was one of his favorite characters to play.

"He's really an older version of Oscar," Pearlberg said. "They are both similar charters—grouchy, grumpy men; and it's a fun character to play," Pearlberg explained. "My wife says I'm not acting," he laughed.

Will you be going to see The Odd Couple? Let us know what you think of it if you do!

The Odd Couple showtimes are Friday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25.