'It can be argued that Neil Simon is not only America's most successful
playwright, but also the most successful playwright in the history of theatre.'1
Despite being criticized for lack of substance, his hugely successful comedies
are consistently revived, whether on Broadway or in other community or
dinner theatres. Last week the University of Notre Dame's Mainstage season
opened with the departmental premiere of Barefoot in the Park. Though
the play originally opened more then thirty years ago, the themes of
compatibility and compromise that it presents are still relevant today. Simon
masterfully manipulated the plot of Barefoot in the Park to include all of the
elements of a fine play (intrigue, credibility, surprise, etc.) and to create a
viable playscript that both emphasizes the play's major themes and, just as
importantly, makes the audience laugh.
ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ ÃÂÃ Simon has skillfully constructed the plot of Barefoot in the Park to
showcase and emphasize his themes of compatibility and need for
compromise. The plot itself starts out fairly simple. In the first act, Paul
and Corie Bratter, wed but six days, move into their new apartment on the
top floor of a brownstone in New York City. From the very first, the
audience can see that these are two very different characters that have very
different values, and yet Paul and Corie are very much in love. The plot
progresses as other characters are introduced. First to visit the newlyweds is
Corie's mother, Mrs. Banks. The relationship between Corie and her mother
also involves a clash of very distinct personalities. With the appearance of
the Bratter's eccentric upstairs neighbor, Victor Velasco, Corie sees the
opportunity to play matchmaker and inject a little romance into her staid
mother's life. The first act concludes with Corie's plan to bring the two
together at an upcoming...