THE ARTS ETC
_______________________________________________________________
HARTFORD STAGE
presents
BOEING
BOEING
by Marc Camoletti
Translated by
Beverly Cross and Francis Evans
Directed by Maxwell Williams
Artistic Director – Darko Tresnjak
Managing Director – Michael Stotts
REVIEWED BY B. K. GRANT
Get ready for a dose of side-splitting laughter that will cure your winter blues!
“It is a condition of stewardess employment that stewardesses remain unmarried. Marriage of a stewardess automatically disqualifies her from the stewardess job.” So sayeth United Airlines’ Stewardess Employment Conditions of the late 1960s. Yet many attractive young women longed for the opportunity to see the world, meet interesting people, and possibly, just possibly find
Mr. Right.
In the opening act, Bernard is a young, dapper businessman living a bachelor’s ideal dream life. His posh apartment in Paris (thanks to scenic designer David M. Barber) is central to the comings and goings of his three fiancées as they hopscotch across the globe. His philosophy: “Fiancées are much friendlier than wives.” Vince Nappo is a perfect Bernard as he juggles the feminine elements in his love life, keeping all the flight schedules straight with time tables, time zone clocks and world maps.
He has breakfasted with Gloria, (fiancée number one), an American who ‘loves him to death’ and has flown in with the intention of doing just that. Kelly D. Felthous plays this bubbly, petite ‘air hostess’ to a ‘T’, even to the extent of eating her pancakes smothered in ketchup. As she dawdles, Bernard encourages her to hurry, so as not to miss her flight (oh, really?). No sooner is Gloria out the door, Berthe enters to perform her ritual.
Denny Dillon is wonderful as this bossy, frustrated, older French maid/cook/housekeeper, aka “Domestic Servant”. As she hustles to change the decorative accessories to suit the next arrival, she chastises Bernard for his lifestyle, and then resigns herself to the tweaking of the day’s menu. Berthe’s animated character is one that keeps the bouts of laughter exploding throughout the play.
Arriving unexpectedly is Robert, an old school chum, who is amazed at Bernard’s whirlwind way of life. Ryan Farley captures the persona of this somewhat nerdy simpleton from Wisconsin. He often places a foot firmly in his mouth, but when the need arises, he is surprisingly diplomatic. Robert feels that one fiancée is enough, if he could only find one. He is noticeably blown away when Bernard’s statuesque fiancée Gabriella (numero duo) arrives.
Kathleen McElfresh, in near-perfect Italian dialect, is Gabriella – emotional, demonstrative, fiery, and able to stay for only a few days. She is looking forward to some one-on-one with her man now that she’s home, but it seems that he has something else in mind. Gabriella is delighted at Robert’s visit and impending stay, and is whisked away for a dinner outing.
A flight schedule change lands Frau Gretchen (fiancée nummer drei) in Paris a bit early. In a comedy of errors, much to the delight of the audience, she mistakes Robert for Bernard, resulting in the planting of a serious lip lock. Claire Brownell masters this somewhat austere yet affectionate personality as she attempts to justify the identity mishap and profess her undying love for Bernard.
Yes, Bernard has “it all figured out and under control”, except for the oceanic storms, faster aircraft and cancelled flights which contribute to the eventual gathering of the International Harem. Reminiscent of the timeless Abbot/Costello “Who’s on First, What’s on Second”, the ending is a hilarious surprise for the viewer.
This well-oiled cast of six under the able direction of Maxwell Williams presents BOEING BOEING with such riotous fervor that one is constantly jumping in one’s seat with enthusiasm. The troupe's professionalism shines when a wig malfunction occurs, is nonchalantly recovered and smoothly worked into the skit without a hitch.
The original French play premiered in Paris in December of 1960 and opened in London in 1962 to a seven-year run, garnering many awards and uncounted nominations. Considering what the newscasts have been delivering lately, BOEING BOEING is just what this reviewer recommends to cure your ills; after all, laughter is the best medicine.
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