Reno is blessed with artistic talent. The fact that we have so many local, independent theaters is only something, I confess, I’ve come to appreciate in my late-40s.
Before a few years ago, I had only seen a couple of productions in my entire life, but I wasn’t quite bitten by the theater bug.
That changed when, as a long-time musician, my ears started noticeably going bad, my back hasn’t held up well for physical activities, I don’t have a snowboarding budget, and so, apparently, it was time for a new hobby.
Perhaps because I’m so new to it, or maybe because we have such a wealth of talent in our community — it’s most certainly the latter — I’m consistently amazed by local productions.
RLT’s “Barefoot in The Park” is no exception.
Set in New York City during the ’60s (witness the rotary phone), the play by Neil Simon focuses on a young newlywed couple, Corie (played by Emilie Meyer) and Paul (Aaron Foster), who are both enamored with one another but also clumsy in their relationship. Young lovers, we come to learn, sometimes painfully, aren’t always the best at communicating their needs.
We witness Corie and Paul fight, play, and love while attempting to deal with one another living together for the first time. Their new apartment, woefully imperfect, becomes a source of both excitement, insecurity, and consternation.
Complicating matters is a bizarre upstairs neighbor and Corie’s mother, Ethel (Michelle Calhoun), who arrives full of support and a bit of judgment toward her daughter.
The plot is relatively straightforward as the audience is led into their interpersonal dramas. We experience their love — and grief when things go sour — firsthand.
What is most striking is how believable the actors come across. RLT typically has small casts and works wonders with their talent. “Barefoot in the Park” is wonderfully produced with delightful acting. The witty quips come fast and naturally, inducing laughter throughout most the play.
The production starts slowly — a minor quibble — but by the end, the entire audience was howling. The cast received a standing ovation last night — rightfully deserved.
The show is mostly sold out, but RLT extended the production because of demand. Get your tickets now.
The Details
Written by: Neil Simon
Directed by: Alexandra Frankel & Scott Hernandez
Online: http://renolittletheater.org/events/event/barefoot-in-the-park/
Cast
- Emilie Meyer as Corie Bratter
- Aaron Foster as Paul Bratter
- Michelle Calhoun as Mrs. Ethel Banks
- Bob Ives as Victor Velasco
- Scott Sarni as Telephone Repair Man
- Erich Goldstein as Delivery Man
Dates
Evening Showdates: 1/18, 1/19, 1/24 (tt), 1/25, 1/26, 1/31 (tt), 2/1, 2/2 @ 7:30 PM
Matinee Showdates: 1/20, 1/27*, 2/3 @ 2:00PM
(tt) = Thirsty Thursday- FREE drink with ticket purchase, PWYC denotes Pay-What-You-Can performance, * denotes post-show talk-back.
Tickets
Adults: $25
Senior/ Military: $20
Students: $15
Kids 12 & Under: $12
