Cumberland County Playhouse opens season with 'Barefoot in the Park'

Hannah Hays and Ross Griffin star in "Barefoot in the Park" at the Cumberland County Playhouse through March 22. / Photo by Barry Brown Images

Cumberland County Playhouse kicks off its 2019 season with one of Neil Simon's best-loved comedies, "Barefoot in the Park," which will run through March 22.

"I'm thrilled to be able to bring this wonderful show to Playhouse audiences for the very first time," said Artistic Director Britt Hancock, who also directs this production.

"Neil Simon was an absolute genius who not only single-handedly changed the Broadway landscape, but also invented the modern romantic comedy and sitcom."

Newlyweds Corie (Hannah Hays) and Paul (Ross Griffin) have returned from a six-day honeymoon to begin married life in a tiny, fifth-floor, walk-up apartment in Greenwich Village.

Over the course of four days, the couple learns to live together while facing the usual ups-and-downs. Corrie is a spontaneous, free spirit who wants straight-laced attorney Paul to become more easy-going - for example, to run barefoot in the park.

As the young couple contends with a lack of heat, a skylight that leaks snow, several long flights of stairs, oddball neighbor Victor Velasco (Jason Ross), and Corie's well-meaning mother (Patty Payne), they must also reconcile their own personal differences as to how they approach the challenges of their new life.

Playhouse veteran Daniel Black is featured as the telephone repair man.

Brimming with zippy one-liners and snappy comebacks, "Barefoot in the Park" is the perfect remedy for the winter blues.

The original Broadway production of "Barefoot in the Park" opened October 1963, and ran for 1,530 performances, making it Neil Simon's longest-running hit, and the tenth-longest-running nonmusical in Broadway history.

Tickets may be reserved by calling 931-484-5000 or visiting www.ccplayhouse.com.