BAREFOOT IN THE PARK Opens 2/28 at TheatreWorks

On Friday, February 28, TheatreWorks New Milford will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Neil Simon's first and longest-running theatrical hit, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, by kicking off its 2014 season with that very show. The curtain goes up at 8:00 p.m. on a three-week run.

In this classic, comedic romp, newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter are proof positive that opposites attract. He's a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer; she's a free spirit. But they quickly discover married life is no paradise, having to endure a new apartment that's falling to pieces, surprise visits from Corie's overly protective mother, and the antics of their eccentric neighbor-in-the-attic, Velasco. Paul doesn't understand Corie's impulsiveness, while she wants him to be more spontaneous. Maybe running "barefoot in the park" would be a start?

"Neil Simon is arguably the greatest living comedic American playwright," said Director and Co-Set Designer Tom Libonate of Danbury. "And this is his first 'hit' production, that kept audiences laughing on Broadway for nearly four years straight in the 1960s. Yes, there are references to things from the past, and we've set it in 1963 to reflect that, but the comedy never gets old. It's an honor to bring this show to what I consider to be the finest non-Equity theatrical venue in Western Connecticut."

"The laughs just don't stop - both the one-liners and the sight gags," said Co-Producer, Glenn R. Couture. "We have a terrific cast of six, each who have such a grasp of comic timing, comic presence, and the meter and cadence of [Neil] Simon's lines. For those familiar with the show, BAREFOOT is worth rediscovering with this cast in this theatre. And I guarantee younger audiences, and those unfamiliar with the play, will laugh just as hard, because every character in the play is someone who they know or are familiar with, which makes the humor all that more real."

The production features six of the finest actors from across the region: Daniel Willey (Harwinton), Jessica Alex (New York, NY), Jeff Savage (Northfield), M.J. Hartell (Brookfield), Jonathan Ross (Thomaston), and Kevin Sosbe (New Milford).

Besides Libonate and Couture, the show's crew consists of Co-Producer and Co-Set Designer Richard Pettibone, Costume Designer Susan Pettibone, Technical Director Scott Wyshynski, Stage Manager Kathy Bolster and Assistant Stage Manager Abby Hambidge.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre on October 23, 1963 and ran for 1530 performances, closing on June 25, 1967. The play was nominated for four Tony Awards in 1964 and won for Best Director, Mike Nichols. The New York Times called the play a "bubbling, rib-ticking comedy," which would later be released as a 1967 movie starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK runs February 28 March 1 7,8,9 14,15,16. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with two 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on March 9 and March 16. Tickets for all shows are $23 for reserved seating.

Students and Military personnel with ID will be admitted for just $18.

On Thursday, February 27, senior citizens are invited to a FREE dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket.

Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

TheatreWorks is an award-winning, regional theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, Conn.

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