"Barefoot" Opens at DHT

 
VINTAGE COMEDY CHARMS AT DHT: Doug Kreeger, left, greeted cast members Lisa Konove, Allen Cole and Erin Kim as they arrived at Tavola Tavola for the opening-night cast party for Diamond Head Theatre's "Barefoot in the Park" on Friday. Cole plays against type and does impressive work as a romantic lead with his portrayal of the eccentric but honorable upstairs neighbor in this 1963-vintage Neil Simon comedy. Kim sparkles as the ditsy young bride and Konove gives a career-best comic performance as her mother. Kreeger is visiting Hawaii after appearing in "Les Miz" on Broadway.

 
Mike Scott Robertson talked with Jess Aki as they waited for the buffet line to open. Robertson makes his local stage debut with two well-played scenes as a hapless telephone repair man who has to climb five flights of stairs to get to the newlyweds' tiny apartment. Aki's biggest challenge doing the cast's hair and makeup was finding a realistic-looking 1960s-style wig for Erin Kim.

 
Todd Coolidge, center, the last to arrive at the party, joined Allen Cole and Erin Kim for a comic three-shot. Coolidge, who starred in the title role of the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival's production of "King John" last summer, proves himself a skilled comic actor as the long-suffering young husband. Coolidge and Kim create a romantic chemistry that transcends the more improbable twists and turns of the plot.

 
John Price, left, and his wife, Kazumi Price, got an update on DHT's plans for the rest of 2008 from DHT board member Dr. John Magauran and DHT "executive producer" members Linda and Steve Ahlers as they all enjoyed champagne and desserts in the VIP tent during intermission. The DHT season continues with "Flower Drum Song" in March and "The Producers" in May.

 
DHT Artistic Director John Rampage, left, welcomed Colin Miyamoto and "Barefoot" Director Rob Duval to the pre-show sponsors' reception outside the theater. Duval, last seen as Sir Richard the Bastard in "King John," does an excellent job as a director here, keeping the romantic elements alive and vibrant in a show that could easily come across as a dated farce. Duval's direction and a strong cast make "Barefoot" a winner. Call 733-0274.