Circle Theatre's 30th season takes off with a supersonic comedy that had London and Broadway audiences laughing non-stop. Boeing-Boeing is a classic farce written by French playwright Marc Camoletti. The English adaptation, translated by Beverly Cross and Frances Evans, was first staged in London at the Apollo Theatre in 1962.
It then transferred to the Duchess Theatre in 1965, running for a total of seven years. The highly successful Broadway revival opened May 4, 2008 and ran through January 4, 2009. Boeing-Boeing won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Revival of a Play (2009). Preview performances are Thursday, February 24; Friday, February 25; and Saturday, February 26 (matinee). The production officially opens Saturday evening, February 26, at 8:00pm, followed by a post-show champagne party with the cast and crew.
Under the direction of Robin Armstrong, Circle Theatre's production of Boeing-Boeing features Andy Baldwin* (Robert), Emily Scott Banks* (Gabriella), Sherry Hopkins (Gloria), Morgan McClure** (Gretchen), Krista Scott (Bertha), and Ashley Wood* (Bernard).
Production team members for Boeing-Boeing are: Sara Harris*, Stage Manager; Clare Floyd DeVries, Set Designer; Robin Armstrong, Costume Designer; David H. M. Lambert, Sound Designer; John Leach, Lighting Designer; and John Harvey, Props Designer.
Circle Theatre's Executive Director, Rose Pearson, says, "It is hard to believe that 30 years have passed since Bill Newberry and I first opened a tiny 75-seat theatre in a vacated Mexican restaurant on Bluebonnet Circle. We are grateful for the public support that enabled us to create an attractive contemporary space in Sundance Square where we can continue to premiere top-quality live theatre! We are thrilled to have Robin Armstrong on hand to add her special touch to the opening of our 30th anniversary season."
Plot Summary
Bernard, a successful architect living in Paris, has been deftly juggling the timetables of three fiancées who are all flight attendants. Everything works like clockwork until a friend stops over for a surprise visit and all three stewardesses change their flight schedules.
Photos are available upon request. Approximate running time for the show is 2 hours, including intermission.
* Member of Actors' Equity Association **Equity Membership Candidate
Playwright
Marc Camoletti was a French playwright best known for his classic farce Boeing-Boeing. Camoletti was born on November 16, 1923, a French citizen in Geneva, Switzerland, though his family had Italian origins. His theatrical career began in 1958 when three of his plays were presented simultaneously in Paris. The first, La Bonna Anna, ran for 1300 performances and went on to play throughout the world. The second, Boeing-Boeing (1962), was an even greater success, and remains Camoletti's signature hit. The original London production of Boeing-Boeing, adapted by Beverley Cross and Frances Evans, opened at the Apollo Theatre and then transferred to the Duchess where it ran for seven years, racking up more than 2,000 performances. A later play, Don't Dress for Dinner, also ran for seven years in London, again transferring from the Apollo to the Duchess. Camoletti's plays have been performed in numerous languages, in 55 countries. In Paris alone, 18 of his plays have totaled around 20,000 performances in all. Ten of Camoletti's plays were produced on television, the most recent being Sexe et Jalousie. Camoletti was an Associate of the Société Nationale des Beaux Arts. He was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur, one of France's most prestigious awards. He died in Deauville, on the Normandy coast of France, July 18, 2003.
Director/Costume Designer
Robin Armstrong returns to Circle Theatre to direct the first show of the Theatre's 30th Anniversary Season. Robin most recently directed Circle's production of Bright Ideas, and Collin Theatre Center's production of Hello Human Female. She is scheduled to direct Becky's New Car and Seven in One Blow at Circle Theatre, later this season. In 2010, Robin directed Circle Theatre's critically acclaimed production of Bach at Leipzig, which garnered multiple Dallas Critics' Forum Awards, for Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Creative Contribution (for fight choreography and costume design), and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast. Bach at Leipzig was also cited on the "Year in Review Top Ten List" for Dallas Voice, Critical Rant and Rave, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Observer, Theater Jones and D Magazine. Previously, Robin directed Circle Theatre's productions of Snake in the Grass, Unnecessary Farce, and Incorruptible. Robin also directed productions of Vincent River; Macbeth; Betrayal; Hay Fever; The Day After the Fair; and No Sex, Please, We're British! for Theatre Britain. Robin earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre from Louisiana State University.
Circle Theatre
Founded in 1981 by Rose Pearson and Bill Newberry, Circle Theatre is currently producing its 30th anniversary season of live theatre. The Theatre's mission is to present professional contemporary and innovative productions in its intimate 125-seat setting. Circle Theatre is partially supported by the City of Fort Worth, the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the Community Foundation of North Texas, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For further information, please visit the Circle Theatre fan page on Facebook, www.CircleTheatre.com, or follow the Theatre on Twitter at CIRCLE_THEATRE.
What: Boeing-Boeing
by Marc Camoletti
Friday, March 4, is "University Night" at Circle Theatre. Student tickets will be available for $5. Faculty and staff tickets are $10. "University Night" tickets are available on a first-come first-served basis. Advance reservations are strongly suggested. Use the code UNIV to qualify for this offer when buying tickets online.
Students and Seniors (65+) receive a $5 discount on any full-priced ticket.
Student Rush tickets are available for half price, at half hour before show time (on standby).
Groups of 10 (or more) receive a $5 discount on each full-priced ticket.
Circle Theatre accepts Bell Helicopter coupons, the KERA Member Rewards Card, Sundance Square
Insider coupons and the Star-Telegram Press Pass.
Seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Call 817.877.3040 or stop by Circle's box office, Tuesday through Friday, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm or one hour before show times. Circle Theatre now offers "24/7" online ticketing at www.CircleTheatre.com.
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