By Ralph Hall
Broome County is blessed with several theatrical productions company. The newest is Half Light Theatre, which is producing Barefoot in the Park later this month in the newly redecorated ballroom of the Roberson Museum and Science Center, 30 Front St., Binghamton. The company was founded and is managed by Missy Harris, Tim Mollen and Nathan Butler. In February, Half Light produced Love Letters, which featured Mollen and Harris and was directed by Butler.

Mollen is directing Barefoot in the Park, which stars Amoreena Deacon Wade (Corie  Bratter),  Zachary Chastain (Paul Bratter), Kate Murray (Ethel Banks) and Tony Yajko (Victor Velasco).  Joseph R. Petrolawicz and Ralph Butler are also in the cast.

“Half light” is that moment of expectation when the audience waits in anticipation fora total blackout as the actors take their places and the show begins. For the audience, and the actors, this is the point of no return. Perhaps it is this point that distinguishes a movie from live theater. Whatever happens, at this point, the play must go on to its conclusion with no stopping and no retakes.
For its 2012 season, Half Light will be producing:

  • Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon — 7:30 p.m. March 23 and 24, 3 p.m. March 25
  • No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre — 7:30 p.m. June 1 and 2, 3 p.m. June 3
  • Half Light Concert Series “Spotlight on Elton John” — 7:30 p.m. July 13 and 14, 3 p.m. July 15.
  • Dracula, the Musical, music by Frank Wildhorn — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3, 3 p.m. Nov. 4

All performances will be in the Roberson Mansion ballroom. Tickets for Barefoot in the Park are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Reservations: Call  607-372-2637, or visit www.halflighttheatre.org. You also can call Roberson at 607-772-0660, or visit the museum’s website at www.roberson.org.