Black Box actors go ‘Barefoot’ in June

To kick off the 2011-2012 season, the UCF Conservatory Theater is featuring their production of the romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park in the Black Box Theater through June 19.

The revival is based on the 1963 Broadway production by Neil Simon about two newlyweds struggling to adjust to the turbulence of married life.

A season selection committee chooses productions, but director Mark Brotherton was excited to be involved with a famous play which expresses a universal theme.

"It's set in 1964, so people from 1964 will find it funny," Brotherton said, "but I also think young people will find it funny because it's about a young newlywed couple, a few days after their honeymoon, and their marriage is already falling apart."

The setting is the top floor of a brownstone on East 48th St. in New York City. Trudging up five flights of stairs is bearable compared to the lack of heat and the hole in the ceiling.

Corie Bratter is a vivacious young woman bursting with life and wedded bliss, always trying to rouse her practical mother Mrs. Banks, played by Robin Olson, and straight-laced attorney husband, Paul.

After enough headache and heartburn, due in part to their eccentric neighbor Victor Velasco, tensions erupt and threaten to destroy the love that held them together.

Audience members young and old laughed, some even shedding tears, as the characters took them on an emotional journey. They displayed their appreciation with a standing ovation in the end.

Micro & molecular biology major Wes Budd waited to congratulate the actors after the show. He has only attended one show prior to Barefoot but enjoyed the experience and plans to catch more in the future.

"It's a nice break from summer courses and work," Budd said, "like going to see a movie."

Lead actress Mallory Murphy was thrilled with the turnout on the second night, which was much larger than she anticipated.

"It's one of the best times I've ever had! You get nervous beforehand, but then you got out there and it's so exhilarating. The audiences are so wonderful!" said Murphy, who plays Corie in the production.

With their ease of execution, the audience would have never known the cast and crew had mere weeks to construct the show.

Vince Hannam, a junior theater major who plays Paul Bratter, attributed the short rehearsal period to that of a professional level.

"During the year, rehearsal process would last several months. During the summer, focusing on the professional aspect since, in the real world, you only get about two weeks, we had three weeks: eight-hour days, six days a week."

Michael Dritto, assistant director with the role of Telephone Repair Man, described the hectic year-round schedules involving numerous short scenes due for their theater classes, on top of rehearsing for main stage performances.

However, he is thankful for the chance to evolve as an actor.

"The faculty does a good job in picking a variety of different types of plays so that we can immerse ourselves and try to expand through our classmates with the different roles we're given," Dritto said.

With two years remaining in her theater degree, Murphy hopes this performance will pave the way for future roles in any genre, but admits that this particular role has been one of her favorites.

"Playing Corie is a dream role," Murphy said. "You never have a dull moment on stage; you're hardly ever off stage! It's a challenge, but it's so much fun."

Students must be educated in all aspects of theater for a fully-engaged experience, regardless of their field. They are even required to take a "Careers" class which, Brotherton explained, not only prepares students for the auditions, but also arms them with knowledge of the entire business side.

Although the crew is composed of UCF's own, not all actors are selected from the pool of more than 500 faculty, staff and students. Don Seay, who plays Velasco, and any actors not affiliated with UCF but cast in other productions, appear courtesy of the Actors Equity Association, a labor union representing American theater actors and stage managers since 1913.

For fans who prefer the cinematic experience, Simon made his screenwriting debut in 1967 with a film adaptation of Barefoot starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda as the loveable, opposite duo.

The central theme remains the same, as Brotherton concludes in his director's notes: "Love can be funny, love can be romantic, but love is never simple."

Performances are being held Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through June 19 at the UCF Black Box Theater. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for seniors and $17 for adults.