Jewel Box delivers on `Barefoot in the Park'

Jewel Box Theatre kicks off the new year with “Barefoot in the Park,” one of Neil Simon's most amusing romantic comedies. Set in New York City in 1967, “Barefoot in the Park” tells the story of a young spontaneous and vivacious bride moving into her first apartment as a married woman. Her husband is a bright lawyer, attempting to develop the persona of a serious young man. The couple have only been Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bratter for six days, but the honeymoon is over, and they must settle down to everyday life. The newlyweds are quite suited to one another largely because of their balance. She is mad-cap. He is iron-clad. These are the differences that can make a great marriage, once the differences are faced and accommodations and compromises are made. Those adjustments are the story of “Barefoot in the Park” under the expert direction of Wil Rogers. Rogers is a well-known actor and director in Oklahoma City. His concept for “Barefoot in the Park” is ideal, using Korri Werner as Corie Bratter and Paxton Kliewer as Paul Bratter. These two play the young lovers realistically and excitingly. Lilli Bassett portrays Corie Bratter's loving mother hilariously, and David Fletcher-Hall is funny as upstairs neighbor and outlandish character, Victor Valasco. The cast is hysterically intensified with the cameo roles of Mark Ingham as the Telephone Repair Man and Taylor Reich as the Delivery Man.