Moonbox Productions Presents Neil Simon's "Barefoot In The Park" - Through December 12th

I have always loved Neil Simon's clever comedy "Barefoot In The Park."  The current Moonbox Productions offering at the BCA Plaza Theatre is a very satisfying revival of this classic play set in 1960s New York City.  John Paul Devlin's set beautifully captures the ethos of a typical West Side 5th floor walk-up apartment that is the starter home for newlyweds Corie (Marisa Gold) and Paul (Tom Shoemaker).  Director Allison Olivia Choat has very cleverly staged this production so that the few necessary set changes, including furniture deliveries, take place during brief intermissions while audience members choose to look on.

Tom Shoemaker (Paul Bratter) and Marisa Gold (Corie Bratter) 

Moonbox Productions "Barefoot in the Park"

BCA Plaza Theatre

Through December 12th

Photograph - Earl Christie Photography

Mr. Shoemaker and Ms. Gold give strong performances as the young couple who are having a hard time in their first few weeks of marital bliss adjusting to one another and to the less than edenic ambience of their cramped love nest.  There is a hole in the skylight that lets in snow and cold air, and there are holes in Corie and Tom's understanding of one another that lead to a deep chill in their relationship. Complicating things in delightful ways are Corie's overbearing mother (Sheriden Thomas) and the eccentric neighbor, Victor Velasco (Phil Thompson) who inhabits the atelier on the roof.   As the newly forged matrimonial bonds between Corie and Tom are tested, the older pair find themselves bonding with the help of copious doses of catalytic ouzo imbibed at an Albanian restaurant on Staten Island.  Adding their own small doses of spice to the shenanigans are the beleaguered deliveryman (James Bocock) and an AT&T Princess telephone installer (Andrew Winson).  Their breathless sense of having been beset upon after scaling the alpine heights to the Bratter's bower in the clouds provides some nice light comic moments in this play.

Tom Shoemaker (Paul Bratter), Phil Thompson** (Victor Velasco), Sheriden

Thomas* (Corie's Mother) and Marisa Gold (Corie Bratter) 

Moonbox Productions "Barefoot in the Park"

Photograph - Earl Christie Photography

*Member of Actors' Equity Association

**Member of Screen Actors' Guild

Emily Rosser's costumes place us firmly in the days of JFK's Camelot, aided by effective Lighting by Jeffrey E. Salzberg and Sound by Dan Costello.  Dan Rodriguez provides original background music.

This play will run through December 12th at the BCA's Plaza Theatre. Grab a friend, relative or special significant other and come celebrate the holidays in this delightful Park!

Moonbox Productions Website

Enjoy!

Al