Last of the Red Hot Lovers
Soul Theater

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Soul Theatre makes its first appearance in Chicago with "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," Neil Simon's decidedly dated comedy about Barney Cashman, married proprietor of a fish restaurant who is desperate for a midlife affair.


07/14/06 - 07/29/06

Fri-Sat 8p


Soul Theatre makes its first appearance in Chicago with "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," Neil Simon's decidedly dated comedy about Barney Cashman, married proprietor of a fish restaurant who is desperate for a midlife affair. The play unfolds in three acts--one for each stereotype of womanhood. Elaine is the hard-as-nails opportunist, Bobbi is the flaky bubbleheaded singer/actress who goes from being a freak magnet to an outright freak, and Jeanette is the neurotic, uptight wife of Barney's best friend. For the Freudians in the crowd, each of these assignations takes place in the Manhattan apartment of Barney's mother, a space beautifully realized on the Chopin stage by set designers Sebastien Grouard and Daniel Pelling. This play premiered at the tail end of the '60s, and it feels like Simon's desperate attempt to cash in on the sexual revolution without losing his Borscht Belt-to-Broadway credibility. But if one can get past the misogyny and the mustiness of the storyline, there are still some laughs to be wrung out of the script. The performances are excellent across the board, particularly David Murphy's suitably shlumpy Barney and Ravi Batista's piranha-witted Elaine. "Are you as cold as you seem?" Barney asks Elaine. "I need gloves to take off my underwear," she replies. Directors Kurt Naebig and Dani Prados keep the show on track, never winking at the age of the material" - Kerry Reid, Chicago Tribune 7/21/06

Author
Neil Simon

Director
Kurt Naebig and Dani Prados

Performers
"Ravi Batista, Caren Evers, Lauren McCarthy, David Murphy

Production
Costumes - Ravi Batista; Master Electrician - Joe Giovannetti; Set Design - Sebastien Grouard; Props - Daniel Pelling; Light Design - Dani Prados; Stage Manager - Emily Smith; Photography ? Adonis San Juan; Publicity Consultant - Marieke Van Der Maelen

Tags: Theater, American, 2006