2015 BEST LOCAL PERFORMING THEATER - SMITTY'S NOTES READERS 2015 BEST LIVE THEATER VENUE - WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL READERS' CHOICE AWARDS
BOEING BOEING IS A HIT!!
All Performances Sold Out
So We've Added One More!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 at 4 pm
FROM THE WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL REVIEW BY BILL CISSNA (READ IT HERE):
On the stage, farcical comedies are tricky beasts. Critical issues include compatible casting, sturdy doors that slam well, and snappy pacing that keeps the laughs coming.
Marc Camoletti’s “Boeing, Boeing” — which opened Friday night at Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance — is such a play. Written in French in the 1960s, it fortunately holds up well in English, too. It had successful runs back then, and well-received revivals more recently.
This reviewer nevertheless entered the theater with some concern. Despite the various successes, he and his wife had seen a production that was so dull, so uninspired, that the question lingered afterward: was “Boeing, Boeing” actually a funny play?
No worries. In the hands of this inspired cast and with the firm, “make it faster” direction of Jamie Lawson, Theatre Alliance artistic director, “Boeing, Boeing” is indeed a funny play. It’s full of twists and turns and, yes, door slamming — and good, solid laughs from beginning to end.
The comedy surrounds Bernard (Trey Cameron), an architect with a very busy Paris apartment. He successfully juggles three air hostesses — and is engaged to all of them.
Into this free-spirited male’s perfect world comes an old friend who has decided that Paris is where he should be to finally find the mate for a life of married bliss. Robert (Michael Ackerman) has none of the experience or daring of Bernard.
Bernard soon shares his philosophies of dating and scheduling. He claims to have no interest in actually marrying. “Fiancées are much friendlier than wives,” he tells Robert, who equally claims to not be the type for such deceptive activities.
Before Act One ends, though, both Robert and maid Berthe are caught up in the perhaps inevitable downfall of Bernard’s manipulations. Faster airplanes and weather drastically alter Bernard’s carefully planned schedules. As Bernard begins to fall apart, Robert proves to be a quick learner in juggling and fabricating stories out of thin air.
Much thanks are due to Thad Templeton’s multi-doored set design, and you have to admire Justin Hall’s costumes. The three flight attendants look great in their airline outfits.
Each cast member has highlight moments, from the New Yawker American (Caroline Kapo), to the emotional Italian (Gabrielle Stephenson) and the equally but differently emotional German, Gretchen (Suzanne Vaughan).
Cameron is rock-solid as the organized, contented Bernard at the beginning, and a man on the border of a breakdown by the end. Ackerman has perhaps the hardest work to do, as he transitions from the mostly meek Robert to a frantic but more self-assured aide.
The scene-stealer, though, is often Berthe. Karen Robertson not only personifies the long-suffering “domestic servant,” but is busy dropping the dry, droll one-liners that get some of the best laughs.
The cast also — importantly — works very well together both physically and vocally. It makes for a very funny night of theater.
Remaining Performances:
Friday, August 26, 2016 at 8 pm
Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 4 pm Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 8 pm Sunday, August 28, 2016 at 2 pm
Our box office is open for walk-up sales from 12:30 to 3:00 pm on
these FRIDAYS:
August 26
September 9, 16, and 23
Just come by the theater at 1047 W. Northwest Boulevard in Winston-Salem
(near the corner of Reynolda Road and Northwest Boulevard, in the white brick building).
Say hello and buy your tickets in person (save on Brown Paper Ticket fees)! Or buy a Flexpass or two!
