‘Barefoot’ star McDaniels’ journey a ‘walk in the park’

Jonathan Barlas | COM 268

Apart from starring in the Community Players Theatre’s production of the timeless 1963
rom-com “Barefoot in the Park,” Bloomington actor Dakota McDaniels doesn’t have
much time for walks in the park.

His career is grueling in the sort of way one would expect a young actor’s to be: many
sleepless nights and long hours of doing what he loves most.

Cast in the role of Paul Bratter – Barefoot’s leading man and husband to exuberant co-
star wife, Corie Bratter (Kayla Blue) – McDaniels’ road to Community Players stems
from his first performance ever.

He was only seven years old.

“My first show at Community Players was High School Musical in 2008,” McDaniels
said with a smile. “I’ve been a regular performer since – and from that time – this is what
I wanted to do. Even throughout my time growing up, acting was always special to me.”

Along with his passion for acting, McDaniels seemingly sports a funny bone for starring
in comedies. After playing in the Theatre’s production of “A Few Good Men,” he was
excited to have “funny lines again” in “Barefoot.”

Playing the hard-working husband who lives in a crippling New York City apartment,
McDaniels couldn’t be more upbeat. Like his character Paul, McDaniels sees little
similarities in himself within his stage counterpart.

"Paul’s greatest strength is his ability to remain rational and focused in stressful
situations. His biggest weakness is probably inflexibility,” McDaniels said. “I feel like
I’m half and half of both of those qualities... We’re both boring 20-somethings with a
penchant for sarcasm."

“Barefoot in the Park” essentially follows the life of the Bratters – a newlywed couple
moving into their first apartment together.

While experiencing the good and the bad of their new place alongside one another, the
relatability is immeasurable to the audience – bringing joy in watching two people openly
express themselves to one another.

Paul is an up-and-coming lawyer nearing the cusp of his career. His wife, Corie, is the
free-spirit Paul’s uptight nature needs, as she remains optimistic in making the best of a
bad situation.
The couple strives to find the silver lining in their impacted one-bedroom apartment, that
lacks a bathtub and wears a shattered hole in the skylight.

Although McDaniels says that the play showcases the familiarities within relationships, it
also embodies the hominess, intimacy and feel-good nature of relationships themselves.

"I think this show would be a great show for couples to see together,” McDaniels said. “I
can already feel some arms being nudged at certain parts of the show. Some of the
situations will definitely seem familiar to people in relationships."