Overview
Synopsis
Barefoot in the Park is one of the most beloved comedies of Neil Simon. Newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter are over the moon to begin their life together in their new apartment in Manhattan. It may be small and a six-flight climb, the heating may be busted and snow may be falling through the skylight, but nothing can quash their newlywed bliss. Paul is a straight-laced lawyer and Corie a romantic free-spirit; nevertheless, opposites attract and the two are wild about each other. Corie decides to set her conservative widowed mother up with their eccentric, bohemian neighbor. A wild night ensues, one that highlights just how different Corie and Paul are. The young couple must learn how to accept and embrace their differences as they learn that marriage is no easy walk in the park.
Show Information
- Book
- Neil Simon
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1963
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Corie and Paul Bratter’s new Manhattan apartment., February 1960s.
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Barefoot in the Park was produced after the resounding success of playwright Neil Simon’s first play on Broadway, Come Blow Your Horn, and his musical collaboration with Cy Coleman and Carrolyn Leigh, Little Me. Barefoot in the Parkand its successor, the Tony Award-winning comedy The Odd Couple, cemented Simon’s status as the reigning king of Broadway in the 1960s.
The play (first titled Nobody Loves Me) received a pre-Broadway tryout at the Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania
to read the context for Barefoot in the Park and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
Corie Bratter arrives full of excitement at her new apartment in Manhattan. It is to be the first home she shares with her new husband, Paul. The couple was married six days ago and just finished a romantic, passionate, love-struck honeymoon at the Plaza. The apartment is still empty; the furniture is late to arrive. Still, Corie’s happiness cannot be dimmed as she begins setting up their new home.
A telephone man, Harry Pepper, arrives to set up their telephone line. He just
to read the plot for Barefoot in the Park and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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