Jan Swank, director of Black Hills Community Theatre's current production, "Barefoot in the Park," characterized the show as "comedy for comedy's sake," and he wasn't lying.

Despite a slow start and an oddly paced first act, the show was a scream. The audience was laughing so much during the second and third acts that patrons may have to see "Barefoot" three or four times to catch all of the lines.

The show centers on the first few days after a young couple's honeymoon as they move into their first apartment and adjust to living together. The majority of the cast shone brightly in their roles in this situation comedy and, as I like to say, they brought the funny.

The shiniest and funniest among them was Camilla Gunderson as Mrs. Banks, the mother of the bride. I'm sure it helped that she got to say many of the funniest lines Neil Simon wrote for the show. But her particular comic genius was most evident in her expressions as she waited for her new beau to tell her how he felt about their blind date. In fact, I have no idea what he even said in that scene because I was laughing so hard that the people next to me probably didn't hear it, either.

Gunderson's comedic timing also benefited from her pairing with Wayne Gilbert as Victor Velasco. Gilbert is a community theater veteran, and it shows in his comedic timing and physical ease on stage. He was delightful as the slightly lecherous Velasco.

The only thing I disliked about Gunderson's and Gilbert's performances is that I didn't get more of them. Sadly, their chemistry was a bit better than the interaction between the lead couple, Corie and Paul Bratter, played by Dawn Jelinek and John Heuerman.

The lack of chemistry may improve; it was Jelinek's first performance with the community theater, and she seemed uncomfortable for the better part of the play - pulling at her clothing, torturing some of the lines and over-gesturing throughout the show.

Of course, perhaps I am being too harsh and the performance was simply true to the character, because Paul's line to Corie, "It was easier for you to do what I was watching than it was for me to watch what you were doing," really rang true for me of Jelinek's performance. Her apparent discomfort made me uncomfortable.

She did have moments that were genuine, touching and funny. I had just hoped for more of them, and I look forward to seeing her grow as an actress in future community theater productions. I think she has the talent to become one of our local stars.

Speaking of local stars, Heuerman had his own shining moments throughout the play. His character clearly developed with the arc of the show and hit climactic moments in the final act. He had good timing and managed to add layers to a character that I have seen played flatly in the past. He was endearing, and I was certainly rooting for him throughout the show.

Overall, despite a few flaws, "Barefoot in the Park" is a solid production with a strong ensemble cast and enough laughs to practically qualify as an abdominal workout.