Boeing Boeing, currently at Trinity
Repertory Theater in Providence is
a merry romp, a madcap farce with non-stop laughter. Playwright Marc Camoletti
keeps the pace relentless and potential hilarious disaster around very corner
in this tale about a conniving architect keeping three fiancés on the hook
simultaneously.
Bernard, an American Architect
living in Paris deftly juggles his
three fiancés with nimble aplomb, until faster jets and weather changes bring
it all crashing down on his head with hilarious results and nimble attempts to
sidestep disaster.
It all starts with Bernard’s school
chum, Robert arrives unexpectedly. Bernard unfolds his clever feat of juggling
three airline flight attendants simultaneously to his friend and suggest he try
it.
Trouble starts when faster airplanes and unpredictable weather puts the
kibosh on his carefully calculated love machine. One right after another it
seems like the stewardesses will collide with each other in Bernard’s apartment
dragging the hapless Robert and the dour and frustrated housekeeper Bertha into
the fray to put things right and keep the women from meeting each other.
Joe Wilson, Jr. is delightful as
the slick and debonair Bernard. He has an air about him of both Sammy Davis Jr.
and Frank Sinatra with his devil may care attitude and confidence. He has his
erotic world under control, without any flaws—until today. He starts out the
epitome of cool and sleek, and ends up a collapsing bundle of nerves as he world
threatens to implode. His expression are priceless from cool to terrified as
his world threatens to collapse around him.
Stephen Thorne is energetic and
charming as Bernard’s longtime friend, Robert, a shy man who finds himself
caught up in this love disaster. Thorne
effortless glides from terrified to increasingly confident as opportunities
arise and he can prove he does not lose his head in a disaster. He is rich in
comic expressions and frantic energy.
Rebecca Gibel is excellent as the
American, Gloria. She is feisty and forward, unafraid and confident. She is
sexy and seductive, full of energy.
Liz Morgan is the volatile Italian,
Gabriella. She is a passionate firecracker, full of emotions and zest. She is
vital and energetic, sexy and stubborn.
The last of the fiancés, Amanda
Dolan as Gretchen is the epitome of both German precision and passion. She is
determined to do what is best for her. She is non nonsense and yet seething
passionate underneath. It’s an entrancing performance full of sass and
sexiness.
Nance Williamson is sheer comic
pleasure as the ever present, always dour and often sarcastic maid,
Bertha. This French maid finds herself
in the midst of this unlikely conspiracy that simply wears her nerves thin. Every
time she turns around there is a different meals to prepare, flowers to change
in the vase and pillows to change on the couch depending on the fiancé to show
up.
Director Fred Sullivan Jr. keeps
the pacing relentless, the comedy broad and uproarious.
Patrick Lynch’s set design is elegant and delectable. William
Lane’s costumes are chic and elegant.
It will continue at Trinity
Repertory Theater until May 13, 2012.
in the upstairs theater. Box office: 401-351-4242 Ticket prices range from $15
for Bench seat to $56 for prime seating. You may also purchase tickets online
at: http://www.trinityrep.com/box_office/
