'Odd Couple' takes in whopping sales

The revival of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, doesn't open on Broadway until October 27. But the show took in a whopping US$7 million ($9.94 million) when tickets went on sale for American Express cardholders only. The total advance, which includes group sales and theatre parties, now stands at over US$11 million ($15.43 million).

The show, which begins preview performances on October 4 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, has a top ticket price of US$100 ($140).

Lane and Broderick have been potent box-office attractions since starring together in The Producers in 2001. Lane portrays the messy Oscar Madison, while Broderick will be the prim, fastidious Felix Unger.

The Odd Couple was one of Simon's biggest hits. The original Broadway production, which opened in March, 1965, ran for more than two years.