Barefoot in the Park

The Cumberland University Phoenix Players proudly present “Barefoot in the Park”, a Comedy in Three Acts written by Neil Simon, Directed by Larry "Doc" Menefee, and performed in the Heydel Fine Arts Center at Cumberland University.

Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He's a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she's a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find-too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie's loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does. Paul just doesn't understand Corie, as she sees it. He's too staid, too boring and she just wants him to be a little more spontaneous, running "barefoot in the park" would be a start... (www.samuelfrench.com)

Nominated 1964 Tony Award for Best Play

Barefoot in the Park was first presented on Broadway by Saint Subber at the Biltmore Theatre in New York City on October 23, 1963. It was directed by Mike Nichols, famous for directing “The Graduate” for which he won the Best Director Academy Award.

28 February

7:30 PM

1 March

7:30 PM

2 March

7:30 PM

3 March

2:30 PM

CORIE BRATTER Jessica Bryant

Jessica is no newcomer to Cumberland’s stage. She has most recently been seen in the 2012 Fall Productions as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol and as Lily Belle in The Curious Savage.

Jessica graduated in December with her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, and is now enrolled in the Masters of Arts in Teaching program here at Cumberland. She is very excited and grateful to be returning to Cumberland’s stage once more in the role of Corie Bratter. Many thanks go out to her family, friends, and, especially, to her husband for supporting her throughout this run.
PAUL BRATER Wesley Simmons

Wesley, a freshman music student at Cumberland University, is jumping headfirst into his third show since September. He was last seen portraying Old Joe and the drunken maestro at Fezziwig’s party in A Christmas Carol. He also played Jeff, the self conscious asylum inmate, in The Curious Savage.

His hobbies include improvisational monologues and running around different towns dressed as Batman. Thanks go out to his wonderful, amazing, beautiful girlfriend, Whitney Wilkerson, and to his incredible family. Wesley is very grateful for receiving the opportunity to play Paul Bratter in this wonderfully written show. He hopes you enjoy the performance!
MRS. BANKS Brittany Heater

Brittany is a sophomore and theatre student here at Cumberland. In her wide variety of roles she has been a prissy, ex-beauty queen in Dearly Departed, an Asian male in Deadwood Dick, and insane asylum inmate in The Curious Savage, and, most recently, Scrooge’s sister, Fanny in A Christmas Carol.

Her hobbies include crocheting, playing male roles, and making fishing lures. She is preparing for the challenge of playing a mom head-on with a smile. Barefoot in the Park is one of her favorite plays and she hopes you enjoy the show as much as she does!
VICTOR VELASCO Jack Yatsko

Jack has been doing shows here at Cumberland as a theatre student since 2005 as both an undergraduate and graduate. He was most recently seen as one of the faceless, tormented spirits in A Christmas Carol, and as the bumbling judge in The Curious Savage. Jack has also worked on many shows backstage. He was the Assistant Director for The Curious Savage and part of the “Love Crew” for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!

One of his hobbies includes writing and performing monologues. He is very excited to be returning to the stage as Velasco and would like to thank Doc both for giving him this opportunity and inspiration for the role. Enjoy the show!
TELEPHONE REPAIR MAN Larry Davis

Larry, a sophomore, is studying theatre at Cumberland. He hails from Florida and enjoys complaining about the inconsistent weather in Tennessee. He was last seen as the loud and exuberant Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol and as the good doctor in The Curious Savage.

His hobbies include lurking in dark corners, hanging out with his twin, “Lemur”, and playing the harp. He is very excited to be playing Harry Pepper, the Telephone Man, and hopes you enjoy the show!
DELIVERY MAN David Webb

Although a Criminal Justice major, David has been very active in the theater department. Now a junior at Cumberland University, he has been performing since his freshman year. He has appeared in Agatha Christie's The Hollow, Deadwood Dick, and The Curious Savage, portraying roles from an infatuated murder suspect to a sniveling bartender sidekick, to a greedy senator out for his mother's fortune.

Now he returns for Barefoot in the Park, his favorite Neil Simon play. Thanks go to those who come out and support the show, his mentors at Cumberland, and his family.

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Free Admission

donations are encouraged

You can also contact Debi Goodwin at the Heydel Fine Arts Center for tickets.

Tickets become available on February 11th 2013.

Debi Goodwin

(615) 547.1364