'Boeing Boeing' a smooth takeoff
2013-12-12
When a ladies' man can't resist three beautiful airline hostesses from three different airlines, he comes up with a fail-safe plan.
He devises a schedule that keeps all three from meeting one another. In other words, one takes off when another one lands and the other is in midflight. His schedule works like a charm until airlines switch schedules. That's when Marc Camoletti's "Boeing Boeing," a very funny farce, really takes flight at TheatreWorks in New Milford. James Hipp plays Bernard, the fiancé to all three women. He brags about his plan to his long time friend Robert, played by Matt Austin, who comes to visit Bernard in his Paris apartment. Robert, who wants to find a woman he can settle down with, can't wait to see how Bernard's plan works. He soon learns that it is definitely not a walk in the park.
In addition to having to deal with three madly in love women, the two gentlemen have to deal with Berthe, the housekeeper, played by Jody Bayer. This is one hired hand who doesn't like switching menus based on the nationality of Bernard's women. Gloria is the American airline hostess who is portrayed as very sexy by Erin Shaughnessy.
Passionate Italian Gabriella, played by Reesa Roccapriore, and Vicki Sosbe as demanding Gretchen keep the men and the maid hopping.
James Hipp as Bernard tends to be overly frazzled by the complications of his plan, but certainly woos the women convincingly. Matt Austin as the quiet, inexperienced friend learns quickly how to please the women. Austin's performance stabilizes the crazy goings-on. Shaughnessy portrays the playful American with enough charm to melt an iceberg. She has a few plans of her own.
Roccapriore lives up to the reputation of a fiery Italian by getting angry quickly, but turns loving and forgiving just as quickly.
Sosbe as a Gestapo-like German, leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that she has successfully delivered a commanding performance. Jody Bayer as the frustrated maid comes across so angrily that she comes perilously close to draining the humor out of the role.
What really earned star quality here is the set. Designed by Joseph Russo, who is also credited with costumes and wig design, painting the set, and also directing the show, is obviously a man of many talents. The set is absolutely superior as an ultra modern, pure white set with white chairs.
The accent colors are provided by paper orb-like lamps that hang from the ceiling and are the same colors of the hostess outfits the women wear: yellow, blue, and pink.