The Center for the Arts To Present BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, 2/14-23

The Center for the Arts will inaugurate its first season of shows in the gallery with a production of Neil Simon's comedy Barefoot in the Park weekends Feb. 14-23, with dinner before the show optional for the Friday and Saturday performances.

"Barefoot in the Park" opened on Broadway in 1963 and became Simon's longest-running play there. A movie followed in 1967, a TV series in 1970 and a Broadway revival in 2006. The plot features newlyweds who are distinctly different, as is evident during the first days of their married life. He is a straight-arrow lawyer, and she a free spirit who wishes he could loosen up and go for a walk barefoot in the park.

Directed by Phil Mote, the show features Jonathan Higdon and Abbey Kairdolf as Paul and Corie Bratton. A loopy matchmaking subplot involves her mother and a neighbor who lives in the apartment building attic - played by Cathy Watts and Bob Fish. A phone repairman played by Stephen Luster adds to the comedy.

The production curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Pre-show dinners start in the gallery at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (60 and older), students and military, and $11 for children (12 and under). Dinner costs an additional $20. For more information or reservations, go to www.boroarts.org or call 615 904-2787.