You probably know what The Odd Couple is, since Neil Simon’s Broadway play has been touring consistently since its debut in 1965. The tremendous success of the stage play has brought about a film adaptation, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau as well as a TV series starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, who outlived them all, and who still works periodically in show business (most recently Camera Obscura in 2010).

However, what you probably don’t know is just how many odd couples have been matched together in the long touring Odd Couple production. First, let’s review the cast of characters–easy one, only two. We have Felix Ungar, the neat freak news writer (or sometimes a photographer), and Oscar Madison, a messy sportswriter.

Much of the characters’ personalities were based on the original actors who performed the show on Broadway, and the first pairing was Art Carney and Walter Matthau. Eventually the originals were replaced and numerous changes were made to accommodate film and TV productions. However, if you ever happen to catch The Odd Couple in person, live and in theater, you may have the privilege of witnessing some truly bizarre couplings.

Some of the following mismatches have already toured on and off Broadway, much to the amusement of a live audience. How about Martin Short as Felix. Eugene Levy as Oscar and Dave Thomas as Murray? How about a Scotland version of the play with Gerard Kelly as Felix and Craig Ferguson as Oscar?

It doesn’t get much stranger than this: Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak and Hawaii TV News anchor Joe Moore in a special show for Hawaii’s Minoa Valley Theater. For about two weeks, Broadway’s favorite pair Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick played the role in 2005 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York. When Lane bowed out, Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) took his place.

The mismatches continue: Ethan Hawke and Billy Crudup, and even odder, Sally Struthers and Rita Moreno in a female version of The Odd Couple. Last but not least, just imagine how much fun it was to see an all female Japanese version of The Odd Couple starring Yu Todoroki as Oscar and Misa Noeru!

The mismatchings continue well into 2012, but that’s all part of the charm: Felix and Oscar never quite match, but they’re still loads of fun to watch on stage! Get your Odd Couple tickets today at TicketSupply.com.