February, 1963...Manhattan...East 48th Street...Five-story walkup...Newlyweds.... Barefoot in the Park, Neil Simon's longest-running Broadway show: 1530 performances.
Inspired by the early days of his marriage at the time, Barefoot was Simon's third play and first major hit. Yes, at 44, she's a bit of a dowager. However, the story of fresh love (married six days), contrasting characters (he's a straight-laced attorney, she's a spontaneous free spirit), a garret apartment (slanted roof window and broken skylight), a strange neighbor, and his mother-in-law; has all the ingredients for comedy.
Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter (Michelle Burkhart and Joseph Baker) are moving into their new apartment after a six-day honeymoon at the Plaza Hotel. She found it, rented it and has ordered the furniture brought in. Alas and alack, Paul hasn't seen it until just this moment. As with any old converted brownstone, there are a few problems such as broken skylight (good for indoor snow), unpredictable heat, no closet space, and much more.
The Bratters also have an eccentric neighbor, Victor Velasco (Kirk Irvine), who bounces in unannounced. Mrs. Banks (Lee Donnelly), Corie's mother, is not really a terrible mother-in-law to Paul. She does, however, get into enough trouble on her own.
Jeff Laurence plays a telephone man not too thrilled by a second trip to the fifth floor. Mike Rush as a Lord and Taylor delivery man is a delight. He doesn't have any lines but pants his way through the package delivery. The six flights, counting the tall stoop, would wind anybody.
The PowPAC production is well directed by Mark Loveless and Krystal Price Workman. The timing is flawless. Burkhart and Baker are just the perfect contrast both physically and in their style of acting and moving. Donna Reed's costumes work well. Sherrie Colbourn's set reminds me of some of the Manhattan digs I've been in.
Simon's humor still plays well even after all these years, and PowPAC's production does the playwright justice. Be prepared to laugh and have a good time at the expense of the Bratters.
