The most performed play of French origin in the world, "Boeing Boeing," is now flying high at the Ritz Theatre in Haddon Township. With its hilarious plot and madcap humor, it’s a great audience pleaser.
Bernard, a 1960s Parisian playboy, really believes that variety is the spice of life. He has three gorgeous girlfriends of various nationalities, each of whom believes that she is his fiancée. All are flight attendants, at the time period of the play called stewardesses or air hostesses. Their flight schedules are such that he can have breakfast with one girl, drive her to her plane, and pick up another girl before lunch. And so forth. But Boeing’s new, faster jets cause a change in the schedules, with disastrous results for Bernard and great fun for the audience. To add to the fun, Bernard’s old school friend Robert decides to pay a visit, causing further confusion. And Bertha, the housekeeper who has to keep track of all the “fiancées,” is busier than ever.
Ian Kimble as Bernard is suave and self-assured—until the new schedules force him to try to cover up his polygamous lifestyle. Craig Hutchings as Robert all but steals the show with his pratfalls and sprints over the tops of furniture, reminiscent of Jerry Lewis or Danny Kaye. (Lewis played Robert in the movie version). It all looks effortless, but you can bet he has the bruises and bumps to prove it isn’t. Bernard sometimes joins him in these antics. Kaitlyn Delengowski is the lovely American stewardess, Janet, from TWA. Jacqueline of Air France is played by Samantha Joy Pearlman with an accent as charming as herself. Jennifer Zellers, the striking, statuesque blonde Judith from Lufthansa, has scarcely arrived when she is kissing Robert. Alice Weber delights with her wry humor as the overworked Bertha. All are directed at just the right pace by Ernie Jewell, who also designed the set. The interior design is by Lesa Knowlton, of Knowlton Interiors in Haddon Heights. The beautiful pink-and-white set enhances the frivolous 60s mood of the play, and the furnishings are a mixture of styles of the period and old-world accessories. The recorded music before the play and between the acts features French songs and appropriate pop favorites like “Come Fly with Me” and “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane.”
"Boeing Boeing" runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM through March 30, with 2 PM matinees on March 10, 17 and 24 and special performances on Wednesdays, March 13 and 20 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $20.50 to $33.50. For tickets and information, visit the Ritz Theatre Company, 915 White Horse Pike, Haddon Township, NJ 08137, call 856-858-5230 or visit www.ritztheatreco.org. But hurry! Tickets are going fast--or should we say flying?
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