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