“When Desert Theatreworks started producing shows a decade or so ago, their third production was Neil Simon’s The Gingerbread Lady. Ever since then, it has been a tradition to include one of Simon’s plays in each season. Since Simon wrote over 30 plays, that tradition could go on without repetition for quite some time. In previous seasons they have introduced me to some titles I wasn’t familiar with, but this season they have chosen one of the blockbusters: Barefoot In The Park.
I can’t count the number of times I have seen this show since it premiered on Broadway in 1963, but the Desert Theatreworks production, currently playing at the Indio Performing Arts Center, reminded me of what a sparkling gem this show is. It is a laugh-out-loud comedy with plenty of human, touchy-feely moments. Director Rebecca McWilliams has already been awarded the Desert Star Best Comedy Awards for two previous Simon scripts she directed for DTW. I will be surprised if this one doesn’t earn her the trifecta. It is a delight from beginning to end…”
