Barefoot in the Park

April 17 - May 17, 2009

Bouyant ‘Barefoot in the Park’ opens at Stage 3

Stage 3 Theatre Company welcomes Spring this year by rolling up its comic sleeves and digging into the fertile soil of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” and sowing the seeds of laughter and joy.

The New York Times called “Barefoot in the Park” ‘bubbling’ and ‘ribtickling’. “I don’t think anybody stopped laughing” proclaimed the New York Herald.

“With the opportunity to direct one Simon’s funniest plays, I’m having the time of my life!” enthuses director Maryann Curmi. “His writing is delicious, forcing us to laugh at ourselves. When I reread “Barefoot in The Park”, I took a wonderful trip into that crazy world of his and realized we have to bring this to Stage 3! This play was written for us.”

The plot is simple, but it’s comic complications that pile one on top of the other and Simon’s brilliant dialogue that have made the play such a favorite.

In a nutshell, Corie and Paul were made for each other. Never have a couple been so much in love. They are a match made in heaven. Or are they? With the honeymoon over they begin to wonder if they are really a match made somewhere else.

The apartment is too small and it’s a zillion flights up. There’s no heat, it’s winter and it snows through the hole in the skylight. The wacky upstairs neighbor has to enter his apartment through their bedroom. Corie’s well-meaning but muddled mother only complicates everything.

But worst of all, the newlyweds face the horrifying fact that maybe they are totally wrong for each other and have made the biggest mistake of their lives. She’s a free-spirited bohemian. He’s practical and straight-laced with definite stick-in-the-mud tendencies. How come they never noticed this before?

Tragedy? Not on your life. This is the stuff of brilliant comedy to Simon who drew on his own experiences for the play and wrote it as a gift for his first wife. “I felt like writing about a time when I was probably, and I think all of us are, the happiest in our lives-before the obligations start in.”

Last seen as the acidic Sister Aloysius in “Doubt”, Curmi is also one of the region’s deftest comediennes and an experienced director.

“Laugh riot is a term I don’t use very often, “chuckles Artistic Director Don Bilotti “but in this case that shoe fits. I’m sitting in rehearsals, watching this piece coming to life, and thanking my lucky stars for this cast and director. They are a potent combination.”

Curmi says her cast “couldn’t be better suited for their roles, they truly are perfect.” Audiences will be treated to a lot of talent that is new to Stage 3.

Michelle Woodall and Rob Smittle take the stage as the newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter. Woodall was recently seen in “The Sound of Music” at Playhouse Merced. Smittle attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York and has both East and West Coast credits. Their onstage chemistry is enhanced by the fact that in real life they are great friends.

Playing Victor Velasco the outrageous neighbor is award-winning playwright and renowned teacher, Michael Lynch. Though making his first appearance onstage at Stage 3, Lynch has directed many productions there including his own play, “Crows Landing Gently, Gently” and most recently, “Steel Magnolias”. He will also direct Stage 3’s upcoming production of “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure”.

Francine LaMeire makes her theatrical debut as Corie’s ditzy mother, Ethel. Al Lemke who recently appeared in “Our Town” plays the harried telephone repairman.

In the cameo role of the deliveryman Curmi has cast five different actors, one for each week of the production. They are Mal Perry, Doug Parrish, Albert Barreno, Francis Lynch, and John Day.

Lighting will be by Matt Leamy, Set Design by Ron Cotnam, and Costumes by Diana Newington. Nathan J. Yeisley will stage manage.

“Barefoot in the Park” is made possible in part by Associate Producer, Blue Mountain Minerals.

“Barefoot in the Park” ” will run at Stage 3, 208 S. Green St., downtown Sonora, from April 17 through May 17. The show will run Thursday through Sunday. Curtain times are 7 pm on Thursday and Friday, 8 pm on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. Ticket prices are $18 Thursday, $20 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Senior Sundays are $18. Students always $12. Call 209?536?1778 or visit www.stage3.org for reservations and information.

Playwright

Neil Simon

Cast Members

Michelle Woodall — Corie Bratter
Rob Smittle — Paul Bratter
Francine La Meire — Ethel Banks
Michael Lynch — Victor Velasco
Al Lemke — Telephone Man
Mal Perry — Delivery Man (Week 1)
Doug Perrish — Delivery Man (Week 2)
Albert Barreno — Delivery Man (Week 3)
Francis Lynch — Delivery Man (Week 4)
John Day — Delivery Man (Week 5)

Crew Members

Nathan J. Yeisley — Stage Manager
Nathan J. Yeisley — Sound & Lighting Technician
Tim Bartgis — Production Assistant

Director

Maryann Curmi

Designers

Diana Newington — Costume Design
Ron Cotnam — Set Design
Matthew Leamy — Lighting Design

Associate Producer

Blue Mountain Minerals

Others

Ron Cotnam — Set Construction & Painting
Denny Anderson — Set Construction & Painting
Malcolm Bull — Set Construction & Painting
Chris Sutherst — Set Construction & Painting