TEHRAN- A group of actors will perform a reading of American playwright and author Neil Simon’s 1963 play “Barefoot in the Park” at Tehran's Da Theater on August 17.

Amir Mohammad Shavali will be the director of the reading performance, which will be read by a cast composed of Mehri Sadat Aleaqa, Zahra Shojai, Mehdi Mohammadi and Mehran Imanipour. 

“Barefoot in the Park” is a romantic comedy stage play that premiered on Broadway in 1963, featuring Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley in the leading roles. The play was adapted into a film in 1967, with Redford co-starring alongside Jane Fonda.

The play became Neil Simon's longest-running success and ranks as the tenth-longest-running non-musical play in Broadway history. 

The story follows newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter as they navigate their first days in a top-floor apartment in New York City. Corie is enthusiastic about their future, while Paul, more pragmatic and cautious, is troubled by the apartment's many quirks, including a hole in the skylight and a leaky closet. As they settle in, Corie attempts to introduce her mother to their quirky neighbor, Mr. Velasco. Over a span of four days, the couple learns to coexist amidst the typical challenges of new marriage, with Corie encouraging Paul to adopt a more carefree attitude—encouraging him to enjoy life “barefoot in the park.”

The play received mixed reviews from critics. Theater historian Jordan Schildcrout noted that many commentators remarked on its "dime-a-dozen premise" and minimal plot, but also acknowledged Neil Simon as a "highly skilled professional writer" who crafted "one of the funniest comedies ever." Critics pointed to director Mike Nichols' ability to elevate the material, resulting in a production that was "consistently funnier than its modest dialogue might suggest." Strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth led to a sold-out run, prompting the Biltmore Theatre to increase box-office staff to meet the demand for tickets.

In 1967, Simon adapted his play into a feature film starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Mildred Natwick, and Charles Boyer, directed by Gene Saks.

A television adaptation aired on ABC in September 1970. This African American sitcom ran for twelve weeks, featuring Scoey Mitchell and Tracy Reed as a young couple navigating the early years of marriage in a New York City apartment. This was one of two Neil Simon adaptations debuting on the network that month.

In late 1981, “Barefoot in the Park” was staged at the Moore Theater in Seattle, recorded for an HBO made-for-TV movie. The cast included Richard Thomas as Paul, Bess Armstrong as Corie, Barbara Barrie as Mrs. Banks, and Hans Conried as Velasco, with the film initially airing in March 1982. 

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