Barefoot at hit at Pocket

Barefoot in the Park at the Pocket Community Theater delivered lots of laughs and a good dose of nostalgia.
Every member of the cast showed an equal appreciation for Neil Simon’s caustic lines with exquisite timing. No lines were stepped on and the audience enjoyed every available opportunity to laugh.
The original production of this romantic comedy opened on Broadway October 23, 1963. It’s 46 years later and Barefoot is still fresh and funny. Newlyweds are still newlyweds. Opposite still attract.
Barefoot was Simon’s third Broadway play. It followed Come Blow Your Horn in 1961 and Little Me in 1962. The Odd Couple in 1965 continued a long reign of Simon hits with his most recent in 2004, Oscar and Felix: A New Look at The Odd Couple.
Barefoot went on to become a movie starring Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. In September of 1970 ABC television tried to turn the play into a weekly television series. No luck with Barefoot but at the same time they launched another Simon property, The Odd Couple.
The Pocket production starred Marcie Bealer as the charismatic Corie Bratter, Cameron Jones as the long-suffering Paul Bratter, Mary Lou Moran as the prim and in control Ethel Banks, Corie’s mom, Tom Cooper as the suave Victor Velasco, Jerry Longinotti as the endlessly funny telephone man, George Wilson as the quickly aging delivery man and Seth Wiley as the expressive drunk man.
Every actor was a jewel. Bealer owned the role of Corie. She was the center of the universe, especially Paul’s and her mother’s. Corie was Bealer’s first starring role and I can see many more in her future. She has a lovely speaking voice that can get a little high pitch when she is excited. All in all a memorable performance.
Jones was a wonder as Paul. He was smooth to Corie’s outrageous. He was charming to Corie’s charismatic. He complimented Corie’s character at every turn. His scene with his mother-in-law was well-played. They were both splayed on the couch marveling at Corie’s indomitable spirit. They both knew they were in over their heads trying to keep up with Corie. The scene was funny and touching.
Moran was a marvel. Her scene when she was kicking on Corie’s bedroom door trying to get her daughter to believe her was priceless. She was out-of-control. An out-of-control, control freak is something to enjoy. Moran demonstrated impeccable timing throughout. No lines lost in the laughs. Ethel Banks was the reason Corie was so outrageous, they were perfect counterpoint.
Cooper as Velasco was endearing. How could you not love this rapscallion. Cooper was mesmerizing. Bealer may have been the center of the universe as Corie but Cooper as Velasco was her biggest moon. His orbit was duly noted when it came into our sight.
Jerry Longinotti had the funniest pick up part in the show. His telephone man was pure New York City. He was full of street wisdom and advice. His character was basically the narrator that set up the action from beginning to end. He was a hoot.
George Wilson’s part as the delivery man was small but quite memorable. I loved his out of control breathing when he finally reached the Bratter’s apartment. He played it well and I am sure we will see him again at the Pocket. This was his first role here.
Seth Wylie, all expression and no dialogue. He certainly carried it off. His big eyes were liquid dynamite and his physical comedy was right on.
There were no sour notes in this cast. Director Cate Thornton did well in her casting, staging and direction. When the curtain opened the set took my breath away. It was the Bratter’s apartment, the one I had seen often when I first read the play many years ago. Thornton dedicated the production to her dad who first introduced her to Barefoot as a 14 year old in 1969. I as a 13 year old was introduced to the play the same year. It has stuck with me as it has stuck with her. What a great play, funny, frivolous and loving.