Barefoot in the Park was Mike Nichols' Broadway debut, and it's difficult to imagine a better start than that. The play was a romantic comedy by Neil Simon (a writer that Nichols would frequently work with throughout his career) about a pair of newlyweds who are just learning how to live together. Premiering in 1963, it starred Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley, and quickly became a major hit. Barefoot in the Park ran for over 1500 performances, making it the tenth longest running play in Broadway history. Nichols won a Tony for his direction, which really isn't too shabby considering that it was his first outing. He would go on to win eight more. After the show left Broadway, it was adapted into a film in 1967 (also starring Robert Redford in the leading male role) and a short-lived ABC sitcom in 1970, notable for having a predominantly black cast. A success of this magnitude so early in Nichols' career really put him on the map, and allowed him continued opportunities for many years.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
