The Coronado Playhouse (CPH) lifts the curtain on its 80th season with a stroll through Neil Simon’s 1963 classic comedy, “Barefoot in the Park.”
Premiering on Broadway in 1963, the story follows Paul and Corie Bratter, a newlywed couple moving into a sixth-floor walk-up apartment in New York City. Corie is a free-spirited romantic excited to explore life in the big city, while Paul is a conservative realist who can’t help but focus on logistics and responsibilities. Grappling with their differences, the odd couple navigates the realities of marriage, adulthood, and overcoming their conflicts, all while having a good laugh along the way.
Director Kara Tuckfield was inspired to lead this production after seeing the 1967 film adaption, starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and recognizing how the story translated to a contemporary setting. “It’s such a fun show, it’s a delight,” Tuckfield said. “It’s totally relatable to people who have been in a young marriage, or marriage of any age, as people go through adjustments; it’s a lovely tale of love and growth.”
Tuckfield’s experience as an actor has been integral to how she approaches directing, and she credits her cast for bringing inventiveness and creativity to the production. “As an actor, it’s nice when you have a director who listens to your ideas even if they don’t work out,” Tuckfield said. “If it works, great! If it doesn’t, great! At least we gave it a try. I really want to try and include everyone’s input in the initial stage and refine it down until we get the finished product.”
The cast includes Tim Barron and Rachelle George starring as Paul and Corie Bratter respectively; Kat Fitzpatrick as Corie’s mother, Ethel Banks; John Stephen King as their eccentric neighbor, Victor Velasco; Manny Cardeiro as the Telephone Man, and finally, Harry, the playhouses bartender, as the Delivery Man.
Tuckfield’s sense of collaboration also extends beyond the stage and into the wings, with praise for Sara Hayes, the lighting designer, Thomas Kramer, the set designer, and Jailyn Osborne, the costume designer, for bringing the setting to life. “Sara’s lighting made everything gorgeous,” she said. “And Thomas, he was so detail-oriented, such a gentleman, and so collaborative, it was great to work with him. And the costumes are beautiful, everything just works together so gorgeously. It’s a beautiful production.”
Despite being a team player, Tuckfield took a very personal approach to building the set and crafting the authenticity of the 1960’s feel.
“I sourced all the props and set pieces, which was really fun for me,” she said. “It was set in 1963, so searching out to find the right stove, and the right refrigerator… And I got the clock radio that I remember my parents having from when they were married. So when [Corie] pulls it out, you can see that people [in the audience] recognize it because everybody had that kind of clock radio.”
According to Tuckfield, the level of detail in their design and production was only possible due to the leadership at CPH.
“Coronado Playhouse has been a lovely place,” she said. “It’s my first time directing there and they have been incredibly supportive, incredibly generous… They’re really committed to putting on good shows and supporting their actors and team all the way.”
“Barefoot in the Park” is running through March 1. Performances take place at 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday, with 2 p.m. matinees available on Saturday and Sundays. Tickets are $30, with discounts available for seniors over 62, active military, and students. Buy tickets at www.coronadoplayhouse.org
