Elegant Slapstick from Tavares in ‘Barefoot in the Park’

Pande, Garcia, and Tavares (photo by Giao Nguyen)

Barefoot in the Park
Taproot Theatre
Through 6/20/26
 
Neil Simon’s plays seem to pass the test of time; his humor succeeds to make us laugh, decade after decade. Barefoot in the Park skates along as a fluffy, fun story that hints at topics like empty nest syndrome, self-liberation, surviving new marital spats, but beguiles the audience to relax and enjoy the fluff. It may even feel as if the 1963 movie or play is contemporary.
 
Paul Bratter (Arjun Pande) and his new wife, Corie (Ays Garcia), move into their first apartment. She picked it out and he discovers it's five flights up (if you don't count the stoop), drafty (there's a hole in the skylight), empty (the furniture didn't get delivered) and tiny (there's only enough room in the bedroom for the bed and there's no bathtub). Still, it's their first place.
 
He also discovers crazy neighbors, including Victor Velasco (Mike Wu) who actually lives on the non-existent 6th floor and is an eccentric worldly traveler. Corie's conservative mother, Mrs. Banks (Alexandra Tavares), now an empty nester, appears to want to visit way too frequently. In an effort to help her mother change the narrative, Corie sets her up as a blind date for Victor.

Pande, Garcia, Wu, Tavares (photo by Giao Nguyen)

The ensemble (including a tiny fun role by Brian Pucheu), directed by comedy expert Karen Lund, works well together, milking laughs entering at the top of the unseen 5^th floor landing. And there is a brilliant set change by Mark Lund, where boxes fill the stage, and then magically turn into furniture. (I love that stuff.) Costume designer, Nanette Acosta, has great fun dressing Corie and her mother.
 
The sweetest, hardiest and most delightful laughs come from an outstanding turn by Tavares in this slapstick bonbon. Tavares doesn’t get to do comedy that often, but here she reminds us of just how great her comic instincts are. Without taking it too far, and using every tiny facial expression and squeak of surprise, you can’t take your eyes off her when she’s on stage. She’s undeniable.
 
The blend of expert comedy writing and a solid cast adds up to confidently knowing you’ll have a good time. It’s a chance to see a “serious actor” strut her stuff as one of the best comics of the year.
 
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