 Barefoot in the Park
May 4,5, 11,12, 18,19, 2012 at 8:00 pm
May 6, 13, 2012 at 5:00 pm
A pair of love-crazed newlyweds, a postage stamp sized apartment with snow coming through the skylight, an aging but swashbuckling, renaissance/type neighbor who makes a pass at a horrified, straight-laced, mother of the bride - The trials of "marital bliss" reach a comic explosion when Paul refuses to join Corie for a barefoot walk through a snowy park. Put them together and they spell: "Barefoot in the Park".
Director Janice Luise-Lutkus has packed this cast with some of the area's biggest talents. "Each character is larger than life, totally lovable in his or her own way. These actors bring all they have to the stage and the result is deliciously hilarious and poignant."
Elizabeth (Liz) Enkiri plays the besotted and beautiful newlywed, Corie Bratter. A petite, talented powerhouse, Enriki, of West Hartford, is well-versed in the role of leading lady. Through her character's wild swings of emotion and expression you will love Ms. Enriki's Corie as much as her character's husband, Paul does.
That husband, Paul Bratter, is portrayed by Mike Zizka of Burlington. Though new to the Goshen stage, Zizka brings a long resume of acting credits with him. His Paul is as besotted with Corie as anyone could be, but his questions begin to pile up as they begin their life in earnest together.
Add to the mix of these lovers-becoming-spouses the eccentric Victor Velasco, an upstairs neighbor of some repute. Played by Payton Turpin of Harwinton, Velasco adds some foreign spice to a relationship already peppered with insecurity. Creeping in and out of their bedroom window to access his locked apartment, Turpin's Velasco inadvertently turns the heat up on the newlywed's relationship, making them wonder if they have the right ingredients for a successful marriage.
Top off this mix with Goshen Player's veteran Barbara O'Connell as Corie's mother, Mrs. Ethel Banks. From "dropping in" unannounced (and almost dead) at their unfurnished apartment to having what can only be termed an inappropriate encounter with their upstairs neighbor, this mother-in-law is enough to challenge even the most solid of newlywed bonds.
The truly hilarious topping to this fabulous mix is the presence of two innocent bystanders - a harried telephone repair man (Tony Verrier of Oakville) and a hapless delivery man (Conrad Sienkiewicz of Torrington.) Their comedic (and often mute) performances are a delightful garnish on this feast of a cast.
"Barefoot in the Park" is presented through special arrangements with the Samuel French Company and is generously underwritten by Torrington Savings Bank. |
