'Come Blow Your Horn' opens Thursday at the Barn II

The unparalled insights of Neil Simon will take the stage of his play "Come Blow Your Horn" opens the Conklin's Barn II 2012 season on Thursday, Jan. 12.

The play, which was Simon's first Broadway hit, will run at the Barn II dinner theatre in Goodfield for seven weeks, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (a brunch performance), through Feb. 26. There will be a special Valentine's Day performance on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

"Come Blow Your Horn" is the tale of brothers Buddy and Alan Baker, both employees of the family artificial fruit business in New York City. Alan is a fast-living, girl-chasing bachelor who never lets work interfere with pleasure and Buddy is the dutiful son who still lives at home, but longs to break out of his rut, according to a Barn II release.

(Photo courtesy Conklin's Barn II) The cast of "Come Blow Your Horn," the Neil Simon comedy that opens Thursday at Conklin's Barn II Theatre, include, in front John Johnson and Terri Whisenhunt. In the back row, from left, are Bob Lane Jr., Fred Heskett, April Wyant and Mary Simon.Buddy leaves home and arrives at Alan's apartment looking for excitement, and, after Alan introduces him to New York nightlife, Buddy soon begins to take over Alan's liquor cabinet and begins dating his girlfriends.

As if this weren't enough for Alan to cope with, their parents also turn up on Alan's doorstep, where Alan discovers his mother has left his father. The resulting ride is a hilarious romp as Alan and Buddy struggle to find their true selves and learn some valuable lessons along the way, the release said.

The Barn's show stars the comedy team of Bob Lane Jr. and director Mary Simon, who play the Baker parents. John Johnson portrays Alan and Fred Heskett portrays Buddy, while April Wyant makes a hilarious turn as the ditzy Peggy. Terri Whisenhunt makes her Barn debut as Alan's on-again-off-again girlfriend Connie.

Set design is by Tom Weber, technical direction is by April Wyant, and publicity is by Pat Gaik.

The cost is $32 for Thursday performance, $34 for Friday dinner and Sunday brunch and $36 for Saturday performance. The Valentine's Day performance will be $40.

The ticket includes the buffet, which include four main entrees, including fried chicken and prime rib, with salad, soup and desserts included.

Beer, wine and cocktails are BYOB. Glasses, ice and ice buckets are provided at no charge.

For evening performances doors open at 6 p.m., with the buffet served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Show time is 8 p.m.

On Sundays, doors open at noon with the buffet served from noon to 1 p.m. and show time at 1:30 p.m.

To make reservation call the box office at (309) 965-2545. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

For more information, including directions go to www.barn2.com.

About the Author

Paul Gordon is the editor of The Peorian after spending 29 years of indentured servitude at the Peoria Journal Star. He’s an award-winning writer, raconteur and song-and-dance man. He also went to a high school whose team name is the Alices (that’s Vincennes Lincoln High School in Indiana; you can look it up).