The 2008 Tony Award Winning Best Play Revival, Boeing-Boeing, will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, January 4, 2009, when the current cast's contracts end. Upon closing, Boeing-Boeing will have played 280 performances and 17 previews. The critically acclaimed comedy, which recouped its entire $2.65 million investment this September, will launch a 45-week national tour this fall. Prior to its Broadway engagement, Boeing-Boeing enjoyed a wildly successful run at London's Comedy Theatre from February 2007 - January 2008.
"Not only was Boeing-Boeing a critical and financial success, returning a significant profit to its investors, but it reintroduced a forgotten contemporary comedy, brilliantly re-imagined by Matthew Warchus, to a new generation of theatregoers," states Producer Sonia Friedman. "We chose to close the show when the current cast members' contracts all expired and to end on a high note rather than forge through the challenges of January and February in a weak economy. I am extremely proud of this production and join my producing partners in congratulating the immensely talented cast and outstanding creative team who brought it all to hysterical life."
Marc Camoletti's classic sixties comedy of errors, Boeing-Boeing was translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans and directed by Matthew Warchus. The production began previews on April 19 and officially opened on May 4 at Broadway's Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street).
Boeing-Boeing currently stars Christine Baranski, 2008 Tony Award Winner Mark Rylance, Greg Germann, Paige Davis, Rebecca Gayheart, and Missi Pyle.
Boeing-Boeing is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Bob Boyett, Act Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw, Robert G. Bartner, The Weinstein Company, Susan Gallin/Mary Lu Roffe, Broadway Across America, Tulchin/Jenkins/DSM, and The Araca Group.
Boeing-Boeing won 2008 Tony Awards for Best Play Revival and Best Actor (Mark Rylance) and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play Revival and Best Actor (Rylance). The show received four additional Tony nominations.
In Boeing-Boeing, an architect living in Paris has been successfully juggling three flight attendant fiancées with his housekeeper reluctantly playing romantic air-traffic controller as they fly in and out of his swank bachelor pad. But when an old school pal visits, things get rather turbulent. Schedules change, flights are delayed and chaos ensues in this whirl of mayhem and matchmaking.
The Broadway production of Boeing-Boeing opened to rave reviews. "Up, up & away! Boeing-Boeing is pure pleasure and unconditional bliss! It soars right out of its time zone and into some stratosphere of classic comedy. A roaring success. Mark Rylance gives a priceless performance, evoking the great Buster Keaton. A delicious, delirious production," said Ben Brantley of The New York Times. The Daily News raved, "êêêê! Mile-high hilarity. Matthew Warchus' jet-propelled production is a breath of fresh laughing gas." Variety calls Boeing-Boeing, "A riot!" and The Star-Ledger says Boeing-Boeing is "A hit! Everybody better tape their ribs to prevent fractures from laughing so hard!" And The Journal News says "I loved it! A completely delicious confection. Boeing-Boeing is a classic Broadway cure for whatever may ail you. You may begin laughing now!"
