Until February 14, Metro Theatre presents Neil Simon’s Barefoot In The Park, the story of four days in the life of a newlywed couple.
In the early 1960s, Corrie and Paul Bratter have been married for 6 days. Up five flights of stairs (six if you count the stoop) to the top of a New York Brownstone, Corrie (Maia Beresford) is frantically trying to get their small, quirky apartment in order before Paul (David Grof) arrives home from work at a law office. Everything is new and full of wonder for effervescent Corrie, as she has stepped away from living with her mother, and now wants to make everything perfect for her new life with Paul. Eagerly awaiting the already late delivery of their new furniture to decorate the sparce apartment, her hyper-active personality keeps her warm in the frigid February weather. Where Corrie sees hope and opportunity in their new pad, practical Paul finds projects and problems, traits that will echo throughout their relationship.
photo: Moonrider Productions
On his daily journeys up and down the many steps Paul learns their building is occupied by an assortment of eccentric characters, including Victor Velasco (Andy Rukes), a worldly gentleman known as “The Bluebeard of 48th Street” who lives in the attic space and uses Corrie and Paul’s back window to shimmy up to his rooms. A kindred spirit, Victor befriends Corrie, one night leading the couple with her mother Ethel Banks (Rhona McCallum Lichtenwald) to a pivotal dinner on Staten Island that comes with a few drinks too many leading to a series of vital life decisions for the quartet that provide many of the romantic-comedy’s ups and downs and laughter.
Even though Barefoot In The Park is one of Neil Simon’s earliest works, his signature wit and observations on human dynamics foreshadow the acclaimed playwright career to come. In this production, directed by Mark Carter, the Sixties come to life with Set Designer Glenn MacDonald’s representation of the brownstone studio and Custome Designer Michael Gnansounou giving each character their own unique sense of the era. With all the action set within the tiny flat, it highlights the tension and frivolity of this peak into newlywed life.
The cast is supported by Liam Reitsma, who bookends the work as Harry Pepper the telephone repairman, literally and figuratively putting the spotlight on the breakdown of communication. Each actor neatly fits their character’s personality, bringing together the quartet of divergent characters to form a picture perfect whole. Making her Metro debut as Corrie, Maia Beresford is a revelation, channelling great ladies of 60s comedy before her like Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, or Carol Burnett. As the uptight Mother Banks, Rhona McCallum Lichtenwald echoes the acclaimed Mildred Natwick, originator of the role. Andy Rukes lets the spirit of Victor Velasco break-free from his Peter Pan Syndrome. David Grof presents the particular Paul with the hint of something more bubbling beneath the surface, waiting to break free and run barefoot in the park.
Audiences should run, not walk, to Marpole as Neil Simon’s Barefoot In The Park plays until February 14, 2026 at Metro Theatre, 1370 Marine Drive SW. Visit metrotheatre.com for showtimes and tickets.