Totem Pole Playhouse to Present BOEING BOEING, 7/23-8/4

Departing July 23 from Fayetteville, Pennsylvania for a non-stop flight back to the swinging era of jet-setters, martinis and scintillating mayhem in the early 1960s is Totem Pole Playhouse's production of the classic Tony and Olivier Award-winning bedroom farce Boeing Boeing. Written by acclaimed French Playwright Marc Camoletti in 1962 and adapted into Paramount Pictures' 1965 blockbuster comedy film starring Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis, Boeing Boeing has been in near constant production since including recent Broadway and London revivals and national tours in both the United States and United Kingdom.

Capturing in comedy the same excitingly glamorous and free-spirited era of the early 1960s that television's Mad Men does in drama, Boeing Boeing is the story of Bernard, a young and successful American architect living the good life in Paris, juggling three gorgeous airline stewardess fiancés, all from different airlines and countries. Carefully-planned with clockwork precision and the help of his long-suffering housekeeper, Bernard uses the women's varying flight schedules his advantage. That is until the airlines change their schedules and routes with the introduction of the latest Boeing jetliner; increasing not only the competition between the airlines, but also between Bernard the three objects of his affection when they all show up at the same time. Add an unplanned and poorly-timed visit by a friend travelling through Paris to the mix and Bernard's swinging bachelor world transforms from sophisticatedly sexy to downright hilarious.

Directed by perennial Totem Pole favorite Carl Schurr, Boeing Boeing brings together both familiar faces and newcomers. Noah Applebaum, whose performance in John Putch's film Route 30 Too! earned a best supporting actor award and Mont Alto native Katrina Yaukey and Totem Pole's own Catherine Blaine share the stage with Kristen Calgaro in her Totem Pole debut, New York's Albert Pero, and Broadway-based Amy Decker. Decker has been appeared in national and international tours of The Will Rodgers Follies, A Christmas Carol, and Fame; television's All My Children and Law and Order, and has been a regional favorite at Allenberry.

"Boeing Boeing is physical comedy at its best. It's a non-stop ride of laughter and close calls at a breathtaking pace" said Ray Ficca, artistic director at Totem Pole. "It's no wonder that it was a natural for Lewis and Curtis when it was made into a film, and to see it performed live by actors who have the attitude and spontaneity this cast has is just amazing." Beyond the fall-down funny antics is the intrigue of the retro glamour, surprising yet tasteful sexiness and new found freedoms of the early 1960s that have recently captured the hearts and minds of audiences who lived through the era as well as those who wish they did. "Take the nostalgic style and tantalizing characteristics of Mad Men and mix them with the fast-paced, zany comedy that was actually popular at the time and you have Boeing Boeing" said Nathan Rotz, Totem Pole's executive director. "It's the real thing, it's authentic, it really is about as close as you can get to taking a trip back in time to the glitzy jet-set era of the early '60s."

Boeing Boeing runs July 23 through August 4. Tickets start at $19.50 and as always fifty percent student and twenty-five percent group discounts are available. Tuesday through Saturday evening shows begin at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 pm. Tickets and information for this and all upcoming shows are available by calling the box office at 888-805-7056 or visiting online at TotemPolePlayhouse.org.

Nestled in Caledonia State Park about 13 miles west of Gettysburg and 10 miles east of Chambersburg on U.S. 30, Totem Pole Playhouse has become home to an enclave of professional performing artists including Jean Stapleton, Curtis Armstrong, Harry Groener, Henry Strozier, John Ritter, Barbara Feldon and Sandy Dennis. Totem Pole Playhouse opens its 63rd season in May of 2013. For more information about Totem Pole Playhouse, the line-up of productions for the 2013 season, or ticket information, please visit TotemPolePlayhouse.org.

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