'Barefoot' steps up to the plate with fun and funding

This weekend's performances of Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" promises the same laughter that kept audiences coming for four years to New York City's Biltmore in the 1960s.

Except that, in addition to the laughter, all proceeds raised from the Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances will benefit Carson High School's Blue Thunder band.

"Neil Simon is just a wonderful playwright," said Melody Ward, fund-raising liaison for the nonprofit Silverhawke Community Outreach, which is sponsoring the play. "We've received a lot of enthusiasm. People should be excited. This is part of our community, and the high school is the only high school in town.

"If (people) don't have high school students (at Carson High) now, they might have them there later. The money for the band will help out many, many generations."

Although Carson High's band receives financial support from the Carson City School District, additional money is needed to hold down the cost of students trips.

Last year, the marching band attended seven competitions, two of which were overnight and cost students $80 apiece. Jazz band students attended a festival in Moscow, Idaho, which cost $400 per student. The band could not afford a trip to Disneyland for performances and music clinics this year.

"Our school district has been very reasonable, but the program has changed so fast and is doing so much that fund-raising has had to become a big part of the program, or we are not going to be able to keep up the pace," said band director Robert Brooks.

The band also needs new instruments, such as a contra bass clarinet, which costs about $4,000; tenor saxophones, at about $2,500 a piece; and a baritone sax, at about $2,500. About $1,000 is needed to pay the costs of a choreographer and the music for the 2005-06 marching band.

"Barefoot in the Park" played for more than 1,530 performances from 1963 to 1967 in New York City. The three-act play tells the story of newlywed couple Corie and Paul Bratter, who move into a fifth-story walk-up apartment. They find there's no bathtub in the bathroom and their bed just fits inside their bedroom.

"It's just another thing that's wrong in the apartment," said Elizabeth Tonkinson, who plays the role of Corie. "They didn't see that apartment. They actually saw a third-floor apartment. All these things happen. The furniture doesn't arrive on time. The paint doesn't come out right. There's a hole in the skylight (which lets) it snow inside."

This is the first play sponsored by Playtime Theater Company, Silverhawke's play group. Silverhawke formed two years ago to help raise funds for Toy for Tots with Christmas concerts.

"Robert Brooks, the band director, was so helpful (with those concerts)," Ward said. "He lent us music stands. We used their band room for rehearsal. He encouraged students to participate in the orchestra. He basically went out of his way for us."

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.

If you Go

What: Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park"

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Costs: $12; $10 for seniors and students.

More information: Call Ward at 884-0774.

Benefits: Proceeds after production costs go to the high school band