As the saying goes, “If it looks too good to be true, it usually isn’t.”
That’s what architect Bernard (Joshua Hollister) thought as he delights in hosting a rotating series of three female flight attendants in his upscale Paris flat. Somehow the women never run into one another.
Bernard reveals his way of life to a visiting friend Robert (Michael Barrett Austin), who wonders how he can get a piece of the action. It all depends on Bertha (Celia Maurice), an organized housekeeper who remembers to change photographs and move the underwear. Suddenly, faster Boeing Jets and schedule changes bring all of Bernard’s plans into bumpy weather. The ability of keeping Gloria (Courtney Hatcher), an American flight attendant, Gabriella (Halsey Varady), an Italian flight attendant and Gretchen (Allison F. Rich), a German flight attendant apart while keeping them happy is a wild, amusing brouhaha and can get a little confusing. But all works out as expected in these French farces.
Resident Director Kenneth Kelleher has directed more than 20 productions for The Stage, he keeps his cast moving in Boeing Boeing at a well timed wild clip.
Written by French Playwright Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans. It ran in London for seven years and in 1991 was listed in the Guinness Book Of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. It received many awards, including a Tony in 2001 for the best revival of a play on Broadway.
For a lively romp with a vigorous cast with good humor and great timing Boeing Boeing will deliver an enjoyable evening.
San Jose Stage Company presents ‘Boeing Boeing’
The Stage Theatre 490 South First St., SanJose
Performances through: May 1
Tickets $30-$65
Time: 2 hours with one intermission, with one 15-minute intermission
For reservations and information: 408-283-7142 or visit: www.thestage.org.
Camille Bounds is the theatre columnist for the Morgan Hill Times and the Gilroy Dispatch. She can be reached at: bo******@co********.net.
