Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” is a play that has “legs,” as they say in the theater world. It’s been a consistent crowd pleaser since its first Broadway run in 1965, and in many incarnations since then. But the version being staged by the Bremerton Community Theater really has legs. And stilettos.

Simon rewrote his popular comedy in 1986 to feature a cast of women, instead of the original men. The slovenly Oscar was replaced by the equally slovenly Olive, and the fastidious Felix became neurotic Florence.

The plot is Simon simple; two friends at opposite ends of the Martha Stewart spectrum, one a total slob, one a complete neat freak, decide to be roommates after Florence’s husband kicks her out.

The cast of the BCT production, directed by David Sistek, is impressively capable of keeping up with the rapid-fire delivery of non-stop jokes and witty repartee.

Olive is played by Katrina Baxter Hodiak, long known for her character roles in local theater. This is her first lead role, but she pulls it off without a hitch.

The Broadway version of the all-female cast featured Rita Moreno as Olive Madison and Sally Struthers as Florence Unger, but Hodiak is more a throwback to the original Oscar Madison, played by Walter Matthau.

She wears a big sloppy shirt, a backwards baseball cap and can answer any sports trivia question. She makes proclamations like, “I leave a mess when I read a book!,” but has a heart of gold when it comes to caring for her friends.

Rana Tan takes the stage by storm in her role as Florence, drama queen all the way. This is only the fourth stage appearance for Tan, but she delivers her lines like a seasoned performer. Florence is high strung and high heeled, vacillating between fits of cleaning and hypochondria, all the while screeching about her newly single state.

Director Sistek makes a good showing in his debut as a director at BCT, due no doubt to his lengthy background in theater.

He taught high school drama for more than 35 years in Texas, then “retired” to the Northwest, where he teaches drama at Sedgewick Junior High in Port Orchard.

He has directed more than 40 plays and acted in around 75 over his career.

“I’ve lost count,” he said.

Working with the BCT players gives him a chance to direct adults, an experience he is enjoying immensely.

“We’re really close, we’ve become a family,” he said. “They’re all terrific actors — it makes my job easier.”

The supporting cast also features experienced actors, including Eden McFadden as Sylvie, Judy Nichols as Renee, Rhonda Romaine as Vera, Eric Spencer as Manolo, Bruce Taylor as Jesus and Jacqueline Taylor as Mickey.

The laughs start when the curtain rises on Vera, Mickey, Renee and Sylvie playing Trivial Pursuit and eating stale potato chips, and doesn’t let up until the final curtain falls.

“The Odd Couple” is a sunny anecdote to the dark days of November.

The comedy opens Nov. 11 and runs weekends through Dec. 4 at the Bremerton Community Theatre, 599 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $10 adults, $9 seniors and students, $7 children under 12; available at the theater box office 2-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and by phone at (360) 373-5152.