Boeing Boeing
By Marc Camoletti
Translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans
Directed by Steven J. Golin
Produced by Garland Civic Theatre
Audience Rating: PG - subject matter, mild language
Run Time: 2 hours 15 min, including one 15 min intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Volume
Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: None of Note
Boeing Boeing is a punchy English translation of a mid-century French farce set in the posh Parisian apartment of an American lothario.
Russell Sims plays our leading man Bernard, who utilizes an intricate system of airline timetables, landlines, and handwritten notes to date three flight attendants at the same time.
He is loyally assisted in this ruse by his long suffering housekeeper, Berthe, played with spectacular dry droll by Kerra Sims, and his deceptively savvy midwestern bestie Robert (Jonathan Burt).
His three fiancees are each airline hostesses hailing from three countries: American Gloria (Molly Robinson), Italian Gabriella (Carine Rice), and German Gretchen (Janae Hatchett).
Their career choice is crucial to the scheme. As one is departing, another is landing and yet a third is en route over the ocean somewhere – it all ticks along seamlessly until it doesn’t.
The cast has such a lovely chemistry that things like sets and costumes become more of an afterthought. Once we make it through some dense exposition, the script opens up and everyone starts bouncing off each other. The group makes excellent use of every corner of the notoriously awkwardly shaped thrust of the Granville’s smaller theatre space… and the couch… and a bean bag.
It’s such a treat when an ensemble cast can make a wordy comedy feel fast and seamless. I also really enjoyed that despite living in a farce, our three fiancees were distinct human characters and not simply caricatures.
With this production of Boeing Boeing, director Steve Golin has cooked up a simply delightful evening at the theater - a welcome stopover in a simpler time and place where people lose messages to unanswered landlines and air travel is so consistent they print the schedules in thick paperback books.
Boeing Boeing continues through May 11, GarlandCivic.org for info and tickets.
Cheers!
Jenny
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