NYTimes says "Barefoot in the Park" is a go (Patrick Wilson & Amanda Peete)

This just posted by the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/29/arts/29arts.html

Another Neil Simon Couple

It's looking more and more as if the 2005-6 season will be Neil Simon's year on Broadway. With the Nathan Lane-Matthew Broderick revival of "The Odd Couple" already setting sales records - it has an advance of more than $16 million, unheard of for a straight play - now comes word of the cast for a new production of "Barefoot in the Park," the 1963 romantic comedy by Mr. Simon. Patrick Wilson (who starred in HBO's "Angels in America") and Amanda Peet (in Neil LaBute's "This Is How It Goes") will fill the roles of the newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter, originally played by Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley. Jill Clayburgh and Tony Roberts will also star. (Mr. Roberts replaced Mr. Redford during the Broadway run.) The new production, to be directed by Scott Elliott, begins rehearsals on Dec. 26, with an eye toward a February 2006 opening at a Broadway theater to be announced. JESSE McKINLEY

---

Updated On: 6/28/05 at 11:17 PM

Sounds like good casting for those roles. Promising.

---

Fantastic casting! This should be a superb show.

---

Probably not. They usually only pull the rights to larger professional productions -- touring and regional -- nationally. I can't imagine they're too concerned about high school, amateur and dinner theatre productions unless they're in the northeast around the same time. I'd check, though, with the licensing agent to be sure.

---

Brdlwyr...are the files in order?

I'll be coming to NYC for this event...

---

Yes, we are working hard already.

Peet received positive reviews for her performances in Neil LaBute's THIS IS HOW IT GOES at the Public, alongside an as-always amazing Jeffrey Wright and a predictable Ben Stiller. I thought she was alright. Still, I agree, Margo, exciting casting here.

---

I found Peet absolutely luminous in "This Is How It Goes." Strikingly beautiful and a natural on stage. She should make for a very good Corie. Wilson's obviously perfect for the Redford role. Roberts is an old pro at this kind of material and it'll be nice to see Jill Clayburgh again (though she strikes me as a little young for the Mildred Natwick role -- then again I haven't seen her in anything in forever).

---

Updated On: 6/29/05 at 11:59 PM

I think we'll have to plan a BWW theater party!

---

The only thing that has me scratching my head is Jill Clayburgh.

And Unmarried Woman as Corrie's mom???

I still remember watching a taped production on HBO. Barbara Barrie was simply flawless in the role.

---

I Amanda Peet will be wonderful as Corrie, and Patrick Wilson will just as good as Paul

I adore the casting. I have had a lifelong crush on Jill Clayburgh, and relish any chance I can get to see her on stage. Not to mention that Wilson and Peet are ideally suited for their parts.

I wonder how well the play will hold up... It's still funny, but the sensibility of it is SO '60s. And Scott Elliott?

---