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My first guess for Neil Simon’s longest running show on Broadway would have been “The Odd Couple,” maybe followed by “Brighton Beach Memoirs” or “The Sunshine Boys.” But nope – the breezy romantic comedy “Barefoot in the Park” ran for nearly 4 full years. It was an auspicious production for many other reasons as well: it marked director Mike Nichols’ arrival on Broadway and Robert Redford’s departure for bigger fame and fortune on the silver screen.While a frivolous and frothy confection with characters that barely seem real, “Barefoot” had a special alchemy, giving theater-goers across different spectrums characters they could relate to, root for or against.No one I know has a more intimate knowledge of “Barefoot” than multi-hyphenate theater pro Jan Guarino, who has directed the show twice over a couple decades. She has the compelling perspective of a true lover of Simon’s work and our conversation covers all aspects of how the show works…and could be one of those rare older shows that continues to be a viable show to produce into the future.Definitely check out ChasingPhantom.net to see relevant video clips, specifically clips of Elizabeth Ashley in 1964 and then again in 1982. There's also a link to an episode of the short-lived TV show adaptation of "Barefoot in the Park." Very much worth checking out!