Backstage Review: ‘Barefoot in the Park’ at Reno Little Theater

There are some eternal truths about New York life and indeed about life itself. Fifth-floor walkups are tiring, rents are high, and honeymoons end.

~Photos and Review by Dana Nollsch~

RLT’s production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” is indeed genuinely entertaining.

Simon wrote “Barefoot in the Park” in 1963 and premiered in October of that year on Broadway closing in 1967 after 1,530 performances and followed by a movie the same year the play closed. Now that is some pedigree. This established Simon as the premiere playwright for Broadway comedy.

So let’s take a look at the play itself. The setting is early 1960’s New York where a newly married couple rents a fifth-floor walk-up apartment in an old brownstone. The brownstone is less than ideal with heat, plumbing, and neighbor issues. Add into that a mother who tends to be judgmental and a flamboyant upstairs neighbor as well as career pressure, the newly married couple quickly sees the honeymoon coming to an end.

The casting, directing, costuming, and set blend perfectly bringing the audience to that place and time in this couples life when they are figuring out just how marriage works after the honeymoon.

This is a pure comedic delight that is fueled by the talented actors, stagehands, and wonderful direction.

Speaking of the stagehands, the set changes are indeed entertaining in themselves. This is something that should be seen and is a pure delight.

Check out the photos for a taste of what you will be seeing when you experience “Barefoot in the Park” at Reno Little Theater.

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Written by: Neil Simon
Directed by: Scott Hernandez & Alex Frankel

CAST LIST:

Emilie Meyer as Corie Bratter
Aaron Foster as Paul Bratter
Michelle Calhoun as Mrs. Ethel Banks
Bob Ives as Victor Velasco
Scott Sarni as Telephone Repair Man
Erich Goldstein as Delivery Man

“Barefoot in the Park” plays through February 2nd, 2019.

For detailed information on dated and showtimes check out RLT’s website: http://renolittletheater.org/ ­­­­