Review: BOEING, BOEING Flies High

What happens when you take one guy with three fiancés, add in a naive friend from the Midwest, throw in a long suffering housekeeper trying to keep things straight and put them all in one apartment in Paris in the 1960's?? You get one hilarious night of theatre!

BOEING, BOEING, written by Marc Camoletti, is now showing at Theatre Downtown and is a fun filled play, highlighted with some really great comedic timing and hysterical situations. Although you can see what is going to happen almost from the start, the situations are still entertaining and make you laugh out loud from start to finish.

Theatre Downtown artistic director Daniel Martin shows us his creativity and talent as a director from the beginning of the play to the fun and inventive curtain call at the end. The choreography of the scenes where women are coming in one of the six doors and out of another was timed perfectly.

Mike Cunliffe plays Bernard, the playboy architect engaged to three different flight attendants. It is in his Parisian bachelor pad that this comedy takes place. His friend Robert, played by Matthew D. Whaley, is the only other guy in the cast and although the two of them are really funny, they are upstaged by the women of the show.

Susan Cook as Gloria, the American girlfriend, seems sweet and loving until you see her true intentions later on. Ms. Cook reminds me of a young Natalie Wood. Sara James as Gabriel, Bernard's Italian love interest, is a little savvier than the others when Bernard tries to manipulate her. Ms. James does a good job with her Italian accent and her characterization. Kelsey Crawford rounds out the trio of fiancés as Gretchen, a German firecracker. When Ms. Crawford explains her passionate side shortly after her arrival at the apartment, I laughed until I was out of breath. Her over the top German accent and emotional outbursts were some of the most entertaining portions of the night.

But the person who held it all together was Debbie Smith as Berthe, Bernard's longtime maid. This character knew everything that was going on and could make or break every scheme the two guys could come up with. Several times her quick wit and charm onstage caused an unexpected laugh that moved the story along and made for a much more polished show.

The set was fun and held many items that gave you the feel of the '60's- lava lamps and an Eames desk chair, as well as other mid century modern pieces. I wish parts of the set had been finished a little neater, but I know I am overly picky about such things. For the most part I was laughing too much to care.

Board operator Amanda Lage did a remarkable job handling lots of sound cues. And Sally Montgomery, who is credited with costumes, did an outstanding job coordinating colors and getting together the three separate looks for the flight attendant's uniforms.

This is definitely one funny show and although it is not really for kids, there was no offensive language or situations. I found the whole experience delightful. If you haven't been to Theatre Downtown, this is a great play to start with. Theatre Downtown is one of my favorite spaces in which to see shows.

Theatre Downtown is tucked away upstairs in the Fifth Avenue Antique store and is a comfortable place to see some interesting performances. Call 205-565-8838 or go to theatredowntown.org for more information about tickets for BOEING, BOEING which runs through February 20.

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