The New York Times reports that the 1963 romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park will begin Broadway rehearsals Dec. 26 with an opening scheduled for February 2006. Directed by Scott Elliott, the revival will star Patrick Wilson and Amanda Peet as newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter. The company will also include Jill Clayburgh and Tony Roberts.
Patrick Wilson scored raves and a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in HBO's "Angels in America." He received Tony nominations for his work in Oklahoma! and The Full Monty and made his Broadway debut in The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm. The actor was also seen as Raoul in the film of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
Amanda Peet was recently seen in the Public Theater's mounting of Neil LaBute's This Is How It Goes. She is best known for supporting roles in such films as "Something's Gotta Give," "The Whole Nine Yards," and "Igby Goes Down."
Tony Roberts received Tony Award nominations for his performances in Play It Again Sam and How Now, Dow Jones. His other theatrical credits include Victor/Victoria, Barefoot in the Park, Don't Drink the Water, Sugar, Absurd Person Singular, Arsenic and Old Lace, They're Playing Our Song, Jerome Robbins' Broadway and The Sisters Rosensweig. Roberts won the London’s Critics Poll Award for his performance in the West End mounting of Promises, Promises, and his many screen credits include “Annie Hall,” “Play It Again, Sam” and “Serpico.”
Jill Clayburgh's Broadway credits include Design for Living, Jumpers, Pippin, The Rothschilds and The Sudden and Accidental Re-Education of Horse Johnson. She was nominated for two Academy Awards for her work in "Starting Over" and "An Unmarried Woman." The original production of Barefoot in the Park began previews at the Biltmore Theatre on Oct. 21, 1963. The comedy officially opened Oct. 23 and ran through June 25, 1967, playing a total of 1,530 performances. Mike Nichols directed the play with a cast led by Elizabeth Ashley, Kurt Kasznar, Mildred Natwick, Robert Redford, Herbert Edelman and Joseph Keating.
