When I told a friend a few days before I would see Slowgirl on Sunday, he invited me to get together after the show, I had to decline because I had plans to see Boeing Boeing after he looked at me thinking he heard wrong... "you are seeing two shows back to back?"... LOL yes! I love theater, what can I say...
One of the main reasons I went all the way out to Oakbrook though was because my good friend Dennis Zacek directed Boeing Boeing and we were going to see it together. I've never had so much fun at a Farce before... it's not a favorite type of theater for me, but I go on occasion, and sitting next to the person that directed it was a wonderful bonus.The show itself was very funny, a bit dated of course since the main plot relies on fixed airline schedules in a time that apparently airlines made their time slots much better than they did now. Uncomplicated light and fluffy was nice for a change. The cast was excellent, well tuned to each other and obviously comfortable in their roles. Drury Lane Theater is huge (they often host the big musicals) and for a performance with an awkward curtain time of 6 pm there were a lot of people there, close to sold out! Judging from reactions around me all had a great time.
"you know that you will see a Farce when you enter a theater and the set has many doors"
this is so true, and as the genre is mostly predictable in storyline, the production has to make up for that in cast performances and the odd surprising (subtle) added touch. This production had it all, thanks my dear friends for coming with me (and making sure we made it in time) and thanks D for the added dimension...
The Three Fiancees for our convenience in blue, yellow and red.
Photos: Brett Beiner
from the Broadwayworld announcement:
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning 2008 Broadway revival version of the hit comedy BOEING-BOEING, previewing June 13, opening Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m., and running through August 4, 2013. BOEING-BOEING stars Saturday Night Live alum Nora Dunn as"Berthe" (Dunn was Meryl Streep's co-star in the Nancy Meyers film It's Complicated; her TV credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Private Practice, Psych and Franklin & Bash; and she recently starred in Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's play Love, Loss and What I Wore at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago).
The cast also features Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar as "Bernard" (Ragtime and Sugar at Drury Lane Theatre, South Pacific at Marriott Theatre, A Twist of Water at Mercury Theater Chicago, and the Steven Soderbergh filmContagion); Daniel Cantor as "Robert" (National Tour of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Fish Men and Rabbit Hole at Goodman Theatre, and The Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Jeff Award nominee Dina DiCostanzo as "Gabriella" (Hairspray at Drury Lane Theatre and My One and Only at Marriott Theatre); Jeff Award nominee Katherine Keberlein as "Gretchen" (Fifty Words at Profiles Theatre) and Kara Zediker as "Gloria" (A Summer Remembered at Steppenwolf Theater, the Steven Soderbergh film Contagion, and the John Hughes film Uncle Buck). Dennis Zacek (former Artistic Director at Victory Gardens Theater and recipient of the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre) will direct the production.
BOEING-BOEING was hailed as "Pure pleasure and unconditional bliss!" by The New York Times; named one of "The funniest plays to hit Broadway in ages!" by The Wall Street Journal and called "The funniest show on the London stage!" by The Daily Telegraph. The production, written by French playwright Marc Camoletti and adapted by Beverley Cross, originally opened in London in 1962, followed by the Broadway premiere in 1965. In 1991, BOEING-BOEING was included in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. There has since been a London revival in 2007, a successful seven-year run in the West End, and a Tony Award-winning Broadway revival in 2008, which was adapted by Francis Evans.
Set in Paris in the 1960's, this comedy follows the the flighty tale of Bernard, a jet-setting architect who is juggling three flight attendant fiancées with the help of his reluctant housekeeper. When his old pal, Robert, arrives at his swanky bachelor pad, Bernard proudly unveils his ingenious scheme. Despite his clever arrangement, Bernard's life starts to unravel when a new turbo-charged Boeing is introduced. In a hysterical whirlwind of mayhem, Bernard finds out that one woman is all he can handle.
The lavish set, featuring an opulent Parisian ballroom, is designed by Sam Ball (Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University whose credits include the Broadway premiere of Ride the Winds; more than 100 productions at venues including the Lyric Opera, The Seattle Repertory Theatre and The Orlando Shakespeare Festival; and the American premiere of Sir Michael Tippet's opera, The Knot Garden). The City of Light is brought to vibrant life by Jeff Award-winning Lighting Designer Jesse Klug (Gypsy, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd and Spamalot at Drury Lane Theatre and The Screwtape Letters National Tour). Chic retro costumes are by Christine Pascual (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Victory Gardens Theater). Sound Design is by Lindsay Jones (Drama Desk nomination for Wild With Happy at The Public Theatre). Props Design is by Nick Heggestad, Resident Properties Designer at Drury Lane Productions.
Review blurbs:
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
Photos: Brett Beiner
from the Broadwayworld announcement:
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, presents the Tony Award-winning 2008 Broadway revival version of the hit comedy BOEING-BOEING, previewing June 13, opening Thursday, June 20 at 8 p.m., and running through August 4, 2013. BOEING-BOEING stars Saturday Night Live alum Nora Dunn as"Berthe" (Dunn was Meryl Streep's co-star in the Nancy Meyers film It's Complicated; her TV credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Private Practice, Psych and Franklin & Bash; and she recently starred in Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron's play Love, Loss and What I Wore at the Broadway Playhouse in Chicago).
The cast also features Jeff Award winner Stef Tovar as "Bernard" (Ragtime and Sugar at Drury Lane Theatre, South Pacific at Marriott Theatre, A Twist of Water at Mercury Theater Chicago, and the Steven Soderbergh filmContagion); Daniel Cantor as "Robert" (National Tour of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Fish Men and Rabbit Hole at Goodman Theatre, and The Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Jeff Award nominee Dina DiCostanzo as "Gabriella" (Hairspray at Drury Lane Theatre and My One and Only at Marriott Theatre); Jeff Award nominee Katherine Keberlein as "Gretchen" (Fifty Words at Profiles Theatre) and Kara Zediker as "Gloria" (A Summer Remembered at Steppenwolf Theater, the Steven Soderbergh film Contagion, and the John Hughes film Uncle Buck). Dennis Zacek (former Artistic Director at Victory Gardens Theater and recipient of the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre) will direct the production.
BOEING-BOEING was hailed as "Pure pleasure and unconditional bliss!" by The New York Times; named one of "The funniest plays to hit Broadway in ages!" by The Wall Street Journal and called "The funniest show on the London stage!" by The Daily Telegraph. The production, written by French playwright Marc Camoletti and adapted by Beverley Cross, originally opened in London in 1962, followed by the Broadway premiere in 1965. In 1991, BOEING-BOEING was included in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. There has since been a London revival in 2007, a successful seven-year run in the West End, and a Tony Award-winning Broadway revival in 2008, which was adapted by Francis Evans.
Set in Paris in the 1960's, this comedy follows the the flighty tale of Bernard, a jet-setting architect who is juggling three flight attendant fiancées with the help of his reluctant housekeeper. When his old pal, Robert, arrives at his swanky bachelor pad, Bernard proudly unveils his ingenious scheme. Despite his clever arrangement, Bernard's life starts to unravel when a new turbo-charged Boeing is introduced. In a hysterical whirlwind of mayhem, Bernard finds out that one woman is all he can handle.
The lavish set, featuring an opulent Parisian ballroom, is designed by Sam Ball (Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University whose credits include the Broadway premiere of Ride the Winds; more than 100 productions at venues including the Lyric Opera, The Seattle Repertory Theatre and The Orlando Shakespeare Festival; and the American premiere of Sir Michael Tippet's opera, The Knot Garden). The City of Light is brought to vibrant life by Jeff Award-winning Lighting Designer Jesse Klug (Gypsy, The Sound of Music, Sweeney Todd and Spamalot at Drury Lane Theatre and The Screwtape Letters National Tour). Chic retro costumes are by Christine Pascual (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Victory Gardens Theater). Sound Design is by Lindsay Jones (Drama Desk nomination for Wild With Happy at The Public Theatre). Props Design is by Nick Heggestad, Resident Properties Designer at Drury Lane Productions.
Review blurbs:
Chicago Tribune- Somewhat Recommended
"...The script is funny, and that's enough for some good summer laughs, and there is an elegant (although weirdly roofed) set from Sam Ball, along with glamorously retro uniforms designed by Christine Pascual. But my, could this show use an injection of ... well, let's see. Paris. Stewardesses. Bedrooms. A handsome playboy. The frolic of the jet-set life in 1962. You don't need to be a fan of "Coffee, Tea or Me" to figure out that the necessary jet fuel here is sexual energy. And that needs everyone in the same room."
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Chris Jones
Chicago Sun Times- Highly Recommended
"...‘Boeing-Boeing,” now in an aptly zany and breathless revival at Oakbrook’s Drury Lane Theatre, is pure cotton candy — an ideal escapist entertainment for the dog days of summer."
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Hedy Weiss
NewCity Chicago- Somewhat Recommended
"...The acting company deftly manipulates the seven doors at their disposal. Zacek has tightly staged the entrances and exits-the impetus of all farcical conflict, really-so that a door opens just as another one closes, almost never for good as the famous aphorism might suggest. When the wrong-colored bag is left on the settee or the revolving photograph isn't tuned to the right gal, the Drury Lane audience churns with anticipation, but the antics never get people as revved up as they could. Though the spoken sexuality of the script is innocuous, allowing that element to take a backseat to all things sugary is detrimental. The most important tenet to remember in a farce like "Boeing Boeing" is that sex is everyone's problem as well as everyone's solution."
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Johnny Oleksinski
ShowBizChicago- Highly Recommended
"...The Drury Lane production of “Boeing Boeing” proves to live up to its timeless reputation. Set in Paris during the 1960’s, this comedy follows the story of Bernard, who is an American businessman who makes his home in Paris. Bernard has a groovy bachelor pad, a maid, and three flight attendant fiancées who he manages to juggle to satisfy his needs. Bernard seems to have everything under control with his fiancés visits by managing their flight schedules and interchanging their photos on his desk. When the various airlines decide to introduce a new turbo-charged Boeing to improve their service, Bernard’s fool proof plan becomes complicated. This change alters the stewardess’ flight schedules and Bernard’s control. Bernard’s extremely confident, cocky attitude is altered when his excellent arrangement ends up crashing and burning. By today’s standards the plot is very sexist. However, during the 1960’s this story line was exciting and routine. Most men strived to be Bernard. In fact, some men may still like his lifestyle. However, I don’t know many of today’s women who would tolerate being juggled with other women, or any man’s jet-setting behavior or life style."
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Russell Goeltenbod
ChicagoCritic- Recommended
"...The result is a manic whirlwind of mayhem that produces many laughs and constantly keeps us guessing as to what will happen next. The writing is scrip, smart and clever. The cast is wonderful with their timing as each character exhibits their own peculiar traits that makes them unique and empathetic. We cheer for Bernard as Stef Tovar exudes as a nice-guy even as he is a bit of a rascal. Nora Dunn steals some scenes with her awesome comic timing. Each of the ladies have their moments but this farce is really Daniel Cantor’s show. As the nerdy Robert, Cantor has the tough task of helping cover up and explain away much of the decitiful antics that Bernard’s plans necessitates. He is instrumental in saving Bernard from embarrassment while also gaining some love experiences. He is a hoot in this show! All the players learn lessons from the romp. We enjoy this well-oiled comic machine as the laughs keep coming. Director Dennis Zacek keeps the action tight and the flow brisk. It is delightful to see such a fine cast putting everything them have into the material. The result is a comic treat."
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Tom Williams
Around The Town Chicago- Highly Recommended
"...Pulling off a “farce” is one of the hardest tasks of any acting company and its director. Over the years, we have been treated to many such comic tales where timing is of course the essential and many doors are used to “work the room” ( so to speak). Drury Lane Theatre, known for its wonderful musicl productions, each year, brings us one comedy, non-musical and for this season’s non-musical, they are reviving the “revival version” of “Boeing-Boeing”, written by Marc Camoletti ( translations by Beverly Cross and Francis Evans) and directed to perfection by Dennis Zacek ( one of our town’s finest)."
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Alan Bresloff
Chicago Theatre Review- Recommended
"...Dennis Zacek's production moves with the clockwork precision necessary for well-executed farces. In the first act, Zacek carefully introduces his characters, lays out the improbable situation and supplies all the necessary exposition, allowing his audience to learn what they need to know to enjoy the rest of the play. Then he ratchets up the energy and continues launching hell-bent into unavoidable conflicts that become frenzied and provoke unstoppable laughter. But this director understands when it's time to apply the brakes and allow his audience a few quieter moments in which to savor a finale where (unbelievably) all loose ends are tied up and conflicts are happily resolved."
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Colin Douglas
Chicagoland Theater Reviews- Somewhat Recommended
"..."Boeing-Boeing" has been criticized on political correctness grounds, especially in the treatment of the three young women as gullible sexpots easily manipulated by the horny Bernard. But the play has no social agenda. It set itself out to be a slightly risque romp intended to disarm the viewer by the sheer velocity and complexity of its narrative twists and turns. In a perfect theatrical world, that should suffice to send the customers into consistent fits of giggles and belly laughs. But if the show doesn't work as break neck comedy, it has little to fall back on in terms of eloquent language or depth of character. It's all or nothing, and this production regrettably descends too close to nothing."
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Dan Zeff
