(Theatre Reviewer: Robert Cox)

October 23, 2009

I made the trip to Williamsburg last night for The Williamsburg Players production of Neil Simon’s, “Barefoot in the Park”.  This show is one of theatre’s staples, originally opening on Broadway in 1963 and, has probably been produced as many times as any stage comedy.  The show, albeit a bit dated, is a classic “Simon” piece and again proved the basis for its staying power on The Williamsburg Players stage.

It occurred to me that in musical theatre we sometimes rely on songs and dance numbers to smooth out a cast which may be unbalanced as a result of some member’s individual strengths or weaknesses.  “Straight” plays do not have this advantage and a balanced ensemble can be a critical factor in the production.  This “balance” was an important and very successful part of the production I saw last night. 

Dale Payne directed this edition and orchestrated an energetic offering through active and effective blocking throughout the show.  Scenes with only a couple of people and a lot of dialogue can drag a bit without movement and the Director avoided any potential slow spots with thoughtful and natural movement.  His interpretation of the script and direction of the characters brought out the best of Simon’s sarcastic and clever dialogue scene by scene.

Annie Lewis (as Corie Bratter) and Steven Koernig (as Paul Bratter) team up as the young, just married Manhattan couple starting their life together in a small fifth floor (six if you count the stoop), walkup.  These two have worked together on other shows and their continuity and matched comfort with one another on stage was very evident. They both contributed excellent stage presence and well rehearsed accuracy to their individual parts and, to their characters as a couple.

Debbie Noonan, (as Ethel Banks) and Ed Allen, (as Victor), the kooky upstairs neighbor-slash mooch, rounded out a near perfect ensemble.  These four actors blended as well as any I have seen. Credit here to the casting folks (I assume Mr. Payne).  The smoothness of this well-fitted group was so subtle that it did not strike me until about halfway through the second act when I stopped to think how the naturalness of the characters as a team, had snuck up on me.

The Williamsburg Players continue to work toward their new facility, but they are still able to affect a convincing set on their limited stage area and wing-space.  In this case, an overhead “skylight” and roof area which piques the final scene in the show.  The set was outfitted with all of the appropriate 60’s kitsch, flavored with a dose of aged uptown brownstone.  Kudos’ to the set design and construction crew!  

Costuming for this one didn’t quite convince me of the time and place.  Nor, of the intended caricatures of the players - I think a bit more research and effort would have helped here.

I must admit that I am not the biggest Neil Simon fan. Granted, he is of course, the king of 60’s and 70’s Broadway comedy; however, I find his excellently written plays are all just a bit too vanilla for my tastes. I will add though, that the Williamsburg Players’ production of “Barefoot in the Park” brought out the very best of a clever script and made for an enjoyable evening. 

For anyone who enjoys a light bit of good comedy or, like me, who just really gets a kick out of watching a bunch of talented people on stage, regardless of the script/score, I heartily recommend taking in this show.

“Barefoot in the Park” will be running through the first weekend of October.  Seating at the Williamsburg venue is limited and the house was full last night, so don’t make the trip without calling ahead for tickets.  Click here for ticket information:  http://www.williamsburgplayers.org/pages/home.php