‘Barefoot in the Park’ shoe-d be fun

Love a good rom-com? You can’t go wrong with Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” the 10th longest-running non-musical in Broadway history.

The Porthole Players’ production of this classic show runs through May 31 with performances Fridays through Sundays at the Newport Performing Arts Center.

Called “one of the funniest comedies ever” by Life magazine, the classic play follows newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter as they begin married life in a cramped Manhattan apartment. Paul is a serious young lawyer while Corie embraces spontaneity and romance, and their differences become even more apparent after Corie attempts to match her widowed mother with their eccentric neighbor, Victor. What follows is a chaotic and hilarious evening that tests the newlyweds’ relationship.

Written by Neil Simon, author of “The Odd Couple,” the production was nominated for four Tony Awards.

Director Stephan returns from retirement to helm the production for Porthole Players after previously directing several Neil Simon favorites.

The cast features Anna Hart as Corrie, Moss “Will” Webster as Paul, Frannie Germeshausen as Mother, Sean Orton as Victor and Morgan Locklear as the Telephone Man.

Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 pm and Sunday matinées begin at 2 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Center, located at 777 W Olive Street. Tickets are $24 for all seats. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-2787.