Review: ‘Boeing Boeing’…… Be sure you're going

‘Boeing Boeing’…… Be sure you're going

By Marc Camoletti

Directed by Ted Jaquith

@

The Edmonds Driftwood Players

Wade James Theatre

June 12 – June 28, 2015

Text by Victoria Gilleland

Anything with “Boeing” in the title must be connected to our favorite aircraft manufacturer, Seattle and the Pacific Northwest …. right? In this hilarious farce “The Boeing Connection” is through three gorgeous air hostesses from America, Italy, and Germany who fly international routes with stopovers in Paris … perhaps on Boeing aircraft? 

Unlikely as it seems each of these lovely ladies is engaged to the same American in Paris, Bernard. Because of Bernard’s skill at scheduling visits from his lady friends, each of them knows nothing about the others. Bernard finds himself in trouble when his fiancés’ flight schedules change due to weather delays and the faster jets of the 1960s ….. What to do when these ladies all arrive at his apartment at the same time????

The setting for this hilarious comedy is 1960s Paris, Pre-Women’s Lib …. The liberated daughters among us might take offence at the premise of this play. But remember,  this is a farce, a comedy whose sole purpose is to entertain with characters who become involved in ludicrous situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant and improbable ... and very, very, very funny!

For some time Bernard has enjoyed the assistance of his accommodating French housekeeper, Berthe, who is his grumbling partner in this deception ... Berthe manages to ready the bedrooms and prepare the appropriate Italian, German and American foods as the fiancées cycle through the apartment. The overworked irritable cook and housekeeper is played perfectly by Cindy Giese French who shows wonderful comedic timing as she careens from one crisis to the next.

Jordan Fermstad plays the ridiculously arrogant womanizer, Bernard. You get the feeling that he really believes he is doing the right thing as long as he can keep the schedule straight! Robert, Bernard’s nerdy friend from Wisconsin who stumbles into town as the ruse is unravelling, is played flawlessly by Greg LoProto. You can see the wheels turning as Robert tries to sort out the craziness happening around him.

Sara Schweid’s performance is priceless as the domineering but hypersensitive German air hostess, Gretchen. Jennifer Makenas enthusiastically plays the take charge American, Gloria. The Italian, Gabriella, is portrayed as a sentimental passionate spirit by the lovely Veronica Tuttell. National clichés abound!

EdmondsDriftwood Players is a wonderful community theatre with a warm welcoming atmosphere.  Don't miss this opportunity to kick back, relax and have a good laugh while experiencing a fabulous evening of entertainment … It’s all happening at the Wade James Theater on Main Street in Edmonds, June 12-28, 2015. 8:00 pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2:00 pm Sundays.

Buy tickets here.