Once again Rosebud Theatre hits the target, this time aiming squarely at the funnybone, with their latest production, Barefoot in the Park.
From the opening minute, the theatre was erupting with laughter over the antics of Cassia Schramm, playing Corie Bratter, with her over-the-top zest for life, to the melancholy pragmatism of Aaron Krogman, playing Paul Bratter.
The rest of the ensemble delivered their own laughs as well. David Snider played the quintessential zany neighbour, Victor Velasco and Marie Russell Corie’s reserved mother, Ethel.
The story follows Paul and Corie embarking on the adventure of marriage with their first apartment together, a run-down, tiny, leaky, sixth floor apartment (only accessible by stairs).
It immediately is made clear how the two newlyweds differ dramatically. Paul is a straight-laced, practical lawyer, while Corie is a free-spirited, impulsive dynamo.
Aaron Krogman (left) and Cassia Schramm fill the shoes of newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter, whose first few days in their new home doesn’t go quite as smoothly as they intended. Barefoot in the Park, a hilarious comedy being shown now at Rosebud Theatre, runs until May 11.
Tensions start to mount when Paul first sees their new apartment and things continue to worsen after Corie hatches a plot to set up her mother, Ethel, with the eccentric neigbour, Victor Velasco.
Things come to a head in the second half, when the young marriage is put to the ultimate test.
Both Krogman and Schramm play their parts so convincingly, the audience is able to experience the highs and lows their relationship firsthand. Russell and Snider, though not quite having the cathartic character arc of the newlyweds, are lovable in their respective roles.
In the end, amidst the laughs, Neil Simon, who wrote the play fifty years ago, touches on what it truly takes to be in love and the cast delivers that message with heart.
Barefoot in the Park opened Rosebud’s 30th anniversary season and is set to finish its run on May 11. Anyone wanting an evening of theatre, and some great food, won’t be disappointed.
