Boeing, Boeing
Boeing, Boeing
By Marc Camoletti
Translated by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans
Directed by Keith Smith
Starring Alexander Mrazek and Jim Walker
The Garden Theatre, Winter Garden FL</strong>
Why do men cheat? Because they think they can. Bernard certainly takes infidelity to high art; he lives in Paris and juggles 3 women, all air hostesses flying the long haul around-the-world flights. Schedules are amazingly predictable and his time tables are infallible. There’s Gloria (Laura Miller) the American all blond and perky, there’s Gretchen (Stacy Fulford) who’s bossy and Teutonic and ready to invade Western Europe, and then there’s fiery Gabriella (Heather Delmotte) who wields shame like a rapier. One fine day Bernard’s old buddy Robert (Mrazek) drops by, he’s from Wisconsin and yet somehow unfamiliar with German cuisine. He’s also a bit lonely but when the flight schedules are thrown for a loop, he steps up and keeps the three women from killing Bernard. What a mensch!
“Boeing, Boeing” is a bit dated on several levels, but retains the fire and speed of a great door slamming farce. Three bedrooms, four women and two men require a score card to track, and there’s a set of clever revolving picture frames that are hopefully set to the correct fiancée at all times. That job falls to imperious Candy Heller as Berthe the Maid. She doesn’t approve but she plays along; she’s the sort of old family retainer they just don’t make anymore. Mrazek is brilliantly funny in this starring role; he normally does much less exhausting supporting jobs but here he’s in full command even as you fear for his heart or a nasty fall off the stage. His large presence melds well with Walker, Walker excels as the slow burn guy and he’s more cerebral as a comedian. It’s hard to pick a favorite on the distaff set; Millers’ Gloria dominates as the ditzy blond who gives Robert a nice flash while Ms. Fulford overanalyzes her feeling while vigorously defending her native cuisine. Ms. Delmotte is great as the flustered woman, but Ms. Heller can stop anyone with the disapproving glance of Margret Dumont without her on stage wealth. From preshow to bows, this comedy hits on all cylinders and is selling fast – the night I visited the bar line went half way up the stairwell. Now THAT’S a hit show!
For more information on The Garden Theatre, please visit www.gardentheatre.org
