MONMOUTH — “Boeing Boeing” is a mile-a-minute bedroom farce that has Theater at Monmouth (TAM) audiences roaring from start to finish.

It’s the swinging ’60s and Bernard, a Parisian architect, has perfected a revolving-door scheme for juggling his surreptitious affairs with three airline hostesses. It depends on flight schedules to keep each adoring lady from discovering the others on their Paris stopovers. What could go wrong?
The six actors in this hilarious romp share equal credit for some split-second timing that propels the plot on the constant edge of disaster. It’s a whirlwind of comic action and on-the-fly shifts of strategy.
Christopher Holt, in his first season at TAM, plays Bernard and Michael Dix Thomas, fourth season, plays Robert, Bernard’s old friend who pays a surprise visit and lands smack in the middle of the highly irregular arrangement.
Lisa Woods is Gloria, a TWA stewardess; Ally Farzetta is Gabriella, a stewardess on an Italian airline; and Lindsey Tornquist is Gretchen, who’s a hostess on a German airline.
Wendy Way, third TAM season, is delightful as Bertha, the tart-tongued and totally stressed-out French maid. Bertha keeps the complex comings-and-goings under control, with frequent disapproving reminders that “it isn’t easy, you know.”
Bernard’s high-flying life style goes into a nosedive when the three international airlines put new and faster Boeing aircraft on the runs, and Bernard’s precise scheduling goes awry. Bernard’s in a panic, and bewildered Robert is doing his best to save his philandering friend.
“Boeing Boeing” gives each of these six actors delightful roles, and they deliver them with skill. A large opening night audience leaped to a standing ovation.
It all comes together under the direction of Dawn McAndrews, TAM’s producing artistic director. In her program notes, she says the play bounces back and forth between extremes of skewed ethics and reckless pleasure, but it “lands at the inevitable destination of all comedies.”
Holt will be familiar to TAM audiences for his several appearances in principal roles throughout this summer’s season of Shakespeare and other classic plays.
Thomas, a native Mainer, is also a veteran of numerous Shakespearian roles. He is a founding member of Portland’s Lorum Ipsum Theatre.
Way, originally from Florida, has performed in theater, film and television in New York and Los Angeles.
Farzetta makes her TAM debut in this play. She is a recent graduate of Florida State University’s Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training.
Woods returns to TAM where she previously appeared in “Romeo and Juliet,” “As You Like It” and “A Woman of no Importance.”
Tornquist returns to TAM after roles at Monmouth in 2014. She also is a graduate of the FSU/Asolo programs.
This version of Marc Camoletti’s French farce from 1961 was translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans. “Boeing Boeing” holds many records around the world for long runs and revivals. A 1965 film starred Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis.
Elizabeth Rocha provides fine uniforms and accessory bags for the TWA, Alitalia and Lufthansa stewardesses. Set design is by Jim Alexander, lighting design by Daniel Brodhead, and sound design by Rew Tippin.
Ticket prices range from $20-$32. For tickets, call the box office at 207-933-9999 or go online to www.theateratmonmouth.org.
Cumston Hall is located 796 Main St., Monmouth.

Remaining performances of ‘Boeing, Boeing’

Thursday, September 22, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 24, 1 p.m.
Saturday, September 24, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 25, 1 p.m.

Tickets  prices range from $20-$32.

For tickets, call the box office at 207-933-9999 or go online to theateratmonmouth.org.
Cumston Hall is located 796 Main St., Monmouth.


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