BWW Reviews: Dramatic License Production's Comical Farce BOEING,BOEING

Playwright Marc Camoletti's Boeing, Boeing (translated by Beverly Cross) has had its share of success over the years, running for nearly 20 years in Paris, and being turned into a Jerry Lewis and Tony Curtis film in 1965, before being revived on Broadway in 2008. Now, Dramatic License Productions is presenting their take on this swingin' sixties farce, and they've put together an excellent presentation. The cast is terrific, the story is cute, and the direction is sharp as a tack. This amusing play is well worth your time and attention.

Bernard has an interesting arrangement taking place at his spacious bachelor pad. He's managed to wrangle three different engagements to flight attendants from different airlines, but in order to keep up the ruse he needs to be meticulous about his, and their, schedules. Enter his old friend Robert, who' s baffled and amazed at the goings on, but plays along gamely. Naturally, things go awry in various humorous ways, and the action and interplay are done with considerable comic timing.

Chad Morris does fine work as Bernard, oozing a sleazy sense of sincerity in the part that's particularly well suited to the character. John Reidy is a good match as his buddy Robert, and he does a splendid job adapting to the twists and turns the plot takes. Kim Furlow is quite good as Berthe, the harried housekeeper that Bernard employs. Furlow makes the most of her every appearance, never failing to deliver solid laughs in the process. Deanna Mazdra is a rowdy Texas delight as one-third of Bernard's love triangle, while Natasha Toro makes up another third as a hot-blooded Italian. Emily Baker completes the triumvirate as a feisty Fraulein, doing exceptional work along the way.

Brad Schwartz directs with a nice touch, choreographing this complex mating game so that every shock is maximized, and drawing excellent performances from a very good cast in doing so. Scott Schoonover contributes a set design that deftly conjures up an apartment in France, and it contains the necessary amount of doorways that every farce requires. Tony Anselmo's lighting is crisp and effective, and Cherol Thibaut's costumes neatly allude to the era with smart fashion choices. Nancy Bell's efforts as dialect coach should not be overlooked, since they're uniformly well done, and they add greatly to the overall effect.

Don't miss your opportunity to catch this comical farce. Dramatic License Production's presentation of Boeing, Boeing continues at the Chesterfield Mall through March 17, 2013.

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