56 | OCTOBER 27 • 2022
J
ulie Smith Yolles can recall being a
fifth-grader and taking religion class-
es at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
Southfield. For a dramatic program being
planned by the synagogue, she wore her
brother’s robe and stood on a desk to por-
tray Moses.
Smith Yolles loved the acting experience
and, in the following years, went on to
appear in professional and community the-
aters while taking part in coaching sessions
to build her skills.
This theatrical season, she has a leading
role, Olive Madison, in the female version
of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple for the
Ridgedale Players in Troy. The play, per-
formed over three weekends, alternates with
the male version of the comedy.
Both versions, about people with opposite
personalities living and dating together, will
be presented Nov. 4-20 at the company’s
Troy playhouse. Taking the other main role
in the female version is Alisa Martin as
Florence Unger. Eileen Sinclair White is the
director.
“This is the time when I have gotten my
dream role,
” said Smith Yolles, a freelance
communicator whose articles appear in the
Detroit Jewish News as well as other publica-
tions. “The irony for me is that
this is kind of type casting. I
play a messy journalist and that
is my life in a nutshell.
”
Smith Yolles describes herself
as a huge fan of Neil Simon,
who came up with the scripts
for both plays. She described
loving the way he writes. She thinks of the
late playwright as being very good at collo-
quial commentary on everyday life.
Among the Neil Simon productions
Smith Yolles has enjoyed participating in
have been Rumors, once for Ridgedale
Players and once for St. Dunstan’s Theatre
Guild, as well as Lost in Yonkers for Meadow
Brook Theatre.
“I just love the comedy, and comedy is
my forte,
” said the actress, who has been
inspired by the talents of former Detroiter
Lily Tomlin, comedian and actress; Jackie
Hoffman, performer of one-woman Jewish
shows; and Andrea Martin, an actress and
comedian who appeared in a production of
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
“I’m having a blast playing the role in
The Odd Couple. We’ve got a great cast, and
they’re just fun to be with in rehearsal every
day.
”
Other productions of this play have
placed Smith Yolles as a Trivial Pursuit
player — in 1989 for the Players Guild of
ARTS&LIFE
THEATER
Julie Smith Yolles plays Olive Madison in
the female version of The Odd Couple.
A Dream Role
Julie Smith
Yolles
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Julie Smith Yolles is
Olive Madison in the
female version of
The Odd Couple at
Ridgedale Players in
Troy Nov. 4-19.
Julie Smith Yolles
as Olive Madison
and Alisa Martin as
Florence Unger