Theater Review: Barefoot Is A Refreshing Comedy About Sex
Written by Kate T. Billingsley and Thomas G. Waites, Barefoot is presented as a modern farce on sex and relationships. Yet, for all its humor, it hits on a very real truth; the meaning of life is that there is no meaning. Yes, I know that sounds terrifying, but it also means that you can make your life mean what it wants to mean to you. Unfortunately, most people cannot handle or see that power, especially when it comes to love.
Billingsley also plays Sylvia; a shrink that needs a shrink. Her fiancé, Robert (Judah Barak) has been caught sleeping with bartender/ hedonist Teddy (Elisa Klie) whom is, herself, engaged with the Christopher Walken-eque Marc (Will Rosenfelt). The great thing about this play is that the women are central as equal players and victims of sex. Klie makes Teddy wounded and will-powered by sex as a weapon; loving how it makes her feel, simultaneously, in and out of control in relationships. While she loves Marc for treating her badly and loves Robert for treating her well, there is a feeling Robert loves the Pizza Man (Trent Cox, whom is also assistant director). Through it all Sylvia is the heart of this chaos.
Billingsley has written a character piece on how people with different childhoods and classes, eventually, trip on the same grievance with life: nothing is perfect. The play is a smooth, entertaining ride for 70 minutes because Sylvia is a dynamic character. She is a strong woman realizing that money and education mean nothing when it comes to building love and a family. She is all about appearance, but soon it becomes obvious that her obsession with looks was stirred by how rotten she feels inside. From daddy issues to fertility ones, no Versace glass or diamond necklace can cover the ugly realization that she is not loved: by her fiancé or herself.
What I love about Barefoot is that it is a brisk comedy, and has been extended to March 2 at The Gene Frankel Theatre: located 24 Bond Street. You sit and watch people learn about themselves, their partners, and their fears. No one is absolved from feeling that alone is how they will end up, but Barefoot makes see alone time to grow up for a relationships is necessary. For More Information Barefoot Click Here.
