The 37th season of Summer Repertory Theatre at Santa Rosa Junior College is well under way, and judging by the mood at last Friday’s (July 3) opening of “Barefoot in the Park,” spirits are high.

Directed by former hometown boy Shad Willingham, a student cast (led by Joshua Roberts and Nicole Erb, pictured above)  delivered a fast-paced, sometimes slightly frantic, performance of Neil Simon’s classic comedy about an odd couple of newlyweds.

A post-show, outdoor reception carried through on the park theme, with hot dogs and a popcorn vendor wagon, and cast, crew and audience braved a late-evening chill to celebrate. Willingham — at 6-foot-6 — towered above the crowd.

Of the three SRT shows already open this summer — “The Wedding Singer,” “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” — a thoroughly unscientific, informal survey of Friday night’s crowd proclaimed “Tenor” the favorite so far.

What’s your favorite so far? What have you seen? What did you decide to skip and why? What shows did you like, or dislike?

Since the “Cat” cast had the night off, longtime local actor Tim Hayes, who stars as Big Daddy in Tennessee Williams’  steamy drama, was in the audience for “Barefoot.” A leader in local children’s theater, Hayes wryly observed that he’d had to discourage his young fans from coming to see his show.

“I told their parents that wouldn’t be appropriate,” he said.

SRT brought in 70 student performers, technicians and crew members from all over California and beyond this summer. The fifth and last show in this year’s lineup, “Mame,” opens next Friday, July 10. All five shows will continue in rotation until the season ends Aug. 8.

Venues include SRJC’s Burbank Auditorium for “Wedding Singer” and “Mame,” Newman Auditorium for “Cat” and “Barefoot” and Santa Rosa High School’s auditorium for “Tenor.”

Admission: $10-$25. Full schedule: www.summerrep.com. Box office: 527-4343.