Barefoot in the park

[livelife]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:39pm

anyone recommend this? i dunno if i want to see it or not....

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:40pm

Use the search function. Become friends with the search function.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:40pm

It got pretty lackluster reviews. Though the Patrick Wilson fans seem to enjoy him in it. If you're not a Wilson fan, skip it and rent the movie.

[pennylane2]

Posted: 2/19/06 at 4:53pm

im not a wilson fan i loved it, i mean hes great and i loved him but i went more for amanda ill be honest.. loved the show. its cute.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 9:52am

I really enjoyed this version of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. I'd seen the original with Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley as well as with Robert Reed and Penny Fuller. After reading the negative responses so many people posted about this version, I didn't know what to expect. But the production is very, very good.

The play holds up well. It's not a profound work by any stretch of the imaginiation, but it has some of the sharpest dialogue Neil Simon has ever written. The characters are endearing and for the most part the characterizations are excellent. Yes, Amanda Peet is the weak link here, but she's not the catastrophe that Jessica Lange was when she first did STREETCAR on Broadway. Peet is a pretty girl and she has all the makings of a charming performance, but her problem is a lack of vocal training. She resorts to shouting in order to project her voice when good use of her chest voice would suffice. At the rate she's going, she'll never be able to get through the whole run without having vocal problems because she's taxing her throat much too much.

At yesterday's matinee, the house was almost sold out and the audience totally enjoyed the show. It was good to hear hearty laughter from the crowd. The comments overheard during intermission were incredibly positive and the cast got a standing ovation at the end.

See BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, but don't go expecting a work that will alter your life. It's a piece of fluff, but it's well-done.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 11:47am

Dolly, did you see the show on Saturday 2-18 at 2pm?
and by the way Livelife, this show is amazing!!! don't hesitate. I am not a big fan of non musical plays, but Barefoot was really a surprise!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 4:20pm

No Muscle, I saw the Sunday (2/19) matinee.

[Broadwaylady]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 4:36pm

DP not one mention of how you salivate over Patrick Wilson? Amazing.

[beacon1]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:04pm

Here's link to a nice review with great compliments for Mister Wilson's performance. It's from New York Magazine:

http://www.nymetro.com/arts/theater/reviews/16022/

Updated On: 2/20/06 at 07:04 PM

[beacon1]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 7:22pm

Columnist Liz Smith enjoyed "Barefoot", too!
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/lifestyle/bal-to.liz20feb20,0,7707017.story?coll=bal-artslife-today

"Laughs at 'Barefoot'
Now I know that an opening night audience is not the true voice of Broadway, but how come we all had such a good time at Barefoot In The Park and the critics didn't? Could it have been the thimble-size plastic cup of champagne I had before the show?

Applause is more rambunctious on "openings" as all the investors and family are there. But the audience's laughter was real and hearty. Elizabeth Ashley and I were tickled silly throughout by the dialogue and antics of a stellar cast starting with Jill Clayburgh, whose timing is perfection. Amanda Peet is as appealing as a puppy with a new toy. She's a lovely sprite pinching Patrick Wilson's rather uptight self. Tony Roberts is, as always, delightful, and Adam Sietz is worth all of his 10 minutes on stage.

No, I didn't attend with Ms. Ashley, who originated the role of Corie in 1963, but the still glamorous star was close enough for me to observe her pleasure. Later at a splendid party in Central Park's Boat House, Ms. Ashley said how delighted she was with the production. And Clayburgh raved on, and rightly so, about Scott Elliot's direction. Go see Neil Simon's Barefoot In The Park. I bet you'll laugh yourself silly.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/20/06 at 8:13pm

The present day Elizabeth Ashley would make a terrific Mrs. Banks.