‘Barefoot In The Park’ Brings Romance, Laughs

          From Sept. 13 to Oct. 6,the Chatham Drama Guild will present the Tony Award-winning Neil Simon romantic comedy “Barefoot in the Park,” directed by Pam Banas.
           Autumn is the perfect time for this classic rom com. Conservative Paul and free-spirited Corrie are newlyweds who are passionate despite their differences. Will they be able to find romantic harmony, or will their contrasting personalities drive them apart?
           Director Banas joked about her many years spent bringing productions to the Drama Guild stage, but she clearly relishes her work on “Barefoot in the Park.”
 “After years of performing and directing, I should probably consider retiring!” Banas said. “This cast has been a dream come true. They do all the simple things like come to rehearsal on time, do their work while we're together and then spend many hours doing more work at home. But more importantly, they come prepared and wanting to do well, with more energy at each subsequent rehearsal. Their chemistry is palpable. This show is going to be amazing!”
           Deborah Mahaney, who portrays Mother to Nicole Gardner’s Corie Bradder in “Barefoot in the Park,” said the play is a great choice as the season changes to autumn.
           “Fall always has a sense of new beginnings and possibilities,” Mahaney said. “People go back to school, reconnect with folks and look toward the loveliness of the holidays. A comedy is a great way to approach any changing season!”
           Mahaney described the play as the story of a pair of newlyweds, odd neighbors, and a fifth floor NYC walkup apartment. The fun, she said, comes in the accidents of real life, family relationships and everyone's responses.
           “What equals young love?” Mahaney said. “It is about new starts, whether for the first time or — as in the case of the mother — second chances.”
           Rehearsals, Mahaney said, have been a lot of fun, as Neil Simon's quick repartee (challenging for an actor) just keeps the comedy coming and coming.
           “We have had to take a lot of breaks to make room for the laughing!” Mahaney said. “The members of the cast are all dedicated professionals and we have been blessed to love working together. Pam Banas' leadership keeps us moving forward despite the interrupting merriment.”
           Mahaney said she once played Corie in a production of “Barefoot in the Park” — the daughter of her character in this Drama Guild production — when she lived and worked in New York City.
           “That was many years ago,” Mahaney said. “At that time, I wanted to grow up to be Julie Andrews. Now having a chance to play the mother has brought me full circle. At the time I was Corie, I thought what fun it would be to play the Mother. I changed my idea from Julie Andrews to wanting to be more like Carol Burnett.”
           This is Mahaney’s third production with the Drama Guild. She made her debut on the Drama Guild stage as Vera Charles in “Mame” back in 2021. Last year she sang in and directed “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”
           “My launch at the Guild was thanks to the summer musical director, Geraldine Boles,” Mahaney said. “She and I have both been singing with the Chatham Chorale for years — I'm also currently the Chorale’s president — and she filled me in on all things fun over on Crowell Road. But that's the thing about being in the Guild: you feel like you have belonged forever. It has a true, loving, authentic community theater feel. We perform because we want to.”
           Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” is on the Chatham Drama Guild stage from Sept. 13 to Oct. 6, directed by Pam Banas, and featuring (in order of appearance) Nicole Gardner as Corie Bradder, Todd Cashdollar as Telephone Man, Matt Gardner (no relation to Nicole) as Paul Bradder, Deborah Mahaney as Mother, and Richard Wilbur as Mr. Velasco. Set design is by Scott Hamilton, sound design by Don Howell, and sound and light operation by Rachel Banas. The costumes, props and scenery are by Pam Banas, with set construction by Scott Hamilton, Mike Guzowski and Derek Mickle. Advertising and poster design is by Rachel Walman, the program is by Anna Marie Johansem, and the sign was painted by Rachel Banas. For tickets and more information visit chatdramaguild.org or call 508-945-0510. 
 
Details:

“Barefoot in the Park”
 At the Chatham Drama Guild, Crowell Road, Chatham
 Sept. 13 to Oct. 6
Information and reservations: 508-945-0510, chatdramaguild.org