THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409220181
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Casting is set for The Theater of Dare's fall production of ``Barefoot in the Park.''
The Neil Simon comedy, directed by Tom Charity, features Heather Vaughn and John Bender as newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter. Phil Newsome plays the wacky upstairs neighbor, Victor Valasco. Kathy Morrison plays Corie's mother. Pete Granna is the telephone repairman, and Chris Markley is the delivery man.
The play opens Nov. 2 at Manteo Middle School and runs through Nov. 5. The production continues Nov. 10-13.
``Barefoot in the Park'' opened on Broadway in 1963 with Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley in the lead roles. Redford was later paired with Jane Fonda in the film.
Director Tom Charity brings a wealth of experience to the play. Charity has played all the male parts in productions in New Jersey and Florida. He has also directed the play two times.
``For pure comic content, this is one of Simon's best,'' says Charity. ``It also has depth. It's about love and marriage and love conquering all.''
The play centers on the adjustment to marriage as well as dealing with new in-laws and renting an apartment in New York City. ``Barefoot in the Park'' is set in a sixth-floor walk-up apartment in a brownstone on East 48th Street.
For the next six weeks, the actors, technical staff and director will rehearse the play at the Baum Center in Kill Devil Hills. Rehearsals run two to three hours at least, three days a week.
But as Charity says, ``If your job is in the realm of a hobby, then you take enjoyment from that.''
Pete Granna is a Nags Head firefighter. Kathy Morrison owns The Yarn Corner in Kill Devil Hills. Heather Vaughn, John Bender and Phil Newsome were in The Lost Colony's 1994 cast.
This is The Theater of Dare's fourth production season. Charity lists last year's ``Anastasia'' as the company's best show. In l992, another Neil Simon play, ``California Suite,'' played to a packed house.
After all these years, how does Charity feel about ``Barefoot in the Park?''
``I love it,'' said the director. ``Actors really get to play the parts.'' ILLUSTRATION: WHERE & WHEN
WHAT: Barefoot in the Park
WHERE: Theater Of Dare, Manteo Middle School
WHEN: Nov. 2-5 & Nov. 10-13
by CNB