Written by Paul Osborn
Directed by Rick Wade
Produced by Tom Stuckey
Performance dates:
February 19 - March 12, 2016
Run time: 2h 30m

This 1960's French farce adapted for the English-speaking stage features self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German, and American fiancees, each beautiful airline hostesses with frequent "layovers". He keeps "one up, one down and one pending" until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris and Bernard's apartment at the same time. "This latest edition of a play named for an aircraft soars right out of its time zone and into some unpolluted stratosphere of classic physical comedy. Propelled by the same gusty spirit that animated Commedia dell'Arte and the silent films of Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd, [this] may be earthy, but it's seldom earthbound." - The New York Times

To download the production postcard for Boeing Boeing to share with your friends, visit the Downloads page of our website and look under the Production Postcard heading.

 

About the Playwright

Marc Camoletti was born a French citizen in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1923, but lived most of his life in Paris. His grandfather was a famous architect in Geneva, designing the city’s concert hall and a museum of art and history. Camoletti was trained as an artist and didn’t write his first play, La Bonne Anna, until he was 35. It was a huge hit in Paris, running for 1,300 performances. He wrote more than 400 plays, Boeing Boeing being his signature hit. The English adaptation by Beverly Cross (later revised by Francis Evans) ran for more than 2,000 performances in London. A Broadway version did not catch on with New York audiences and closed after a short run in 1965. Boeing Boeing achieved greater success the second time around on Broadway in 2008 when it had a successful run and won the Tony Award for best revival of a play. Most of Carmoletti’s plays were comedies dealing with themes of sex, relationships, and secrets. His work is often characterized as “boulevard theatre,” a genre characterized by middlebrow sex comedies and named for Paris’ Boulevard du Temple, location of many theaters. 

 

About the Director

Scott Nichols is back in the director’s chair at Colonial Players after having directed Rocket Man last season. Previously, during CP’s one-act festivals, he directed Queen of the Northern Monkeys and Hamlet, Act VI, which went on to be performed at the Maryland Community Theatre Festival. Scott has also been seen onstage at Colonial Players performing as Sheriff Reynolds in Bat Boy, Wigs in Enter the Guardsman, Max in Lend Me a Tenor, Olf in Incorruptible, Birdy in Terra Nova, and various roles in Under Milkwood. He was also in Dignity Players’ productions of Gross Indecency: the Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and the two-person Stones in His Pockets. Other favorite roles include Linus in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Little Mary Sunshine in Chicago (both at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre), Phillip in The Lion in Winter, Don in Butterflies Are Free, and various roles in Jacques Brel. Scott would especially like to thank Jason for always providing love, patience, and understanding.

 

Director's Notes

“What a joy to get the chance to work on this funny and fun show! Like many, I often go to the theater to see a poignant or profound drama filled with introspective characters and social commentary. And then there are plays like this! This is a high-energy, mistaken identity, doorsslamming, girl-kissing romp of classic French farce. I was fortunate that, many years ago, one of the first shows I did at Colonial Players was Ken Ludwig’s wonderful Lend Me a Tenor, and from then and there I was hooked on farce! I’m so glad this play, written by French playwright Marc Camoletti and first performed in 1962, was dusted off and rebooted in 2007. Still set in the stylish and swinging early sixties, the revived script wisely kept the sexy and turned the sexist premise on its ear. The three “air hostesses,” who live by the adage “Vive la difference!,” understand the gender games of their time and deftly play them to their advantage. They work in the cabin, but they certainly show no fear in taking the controls when needed. Add into the mix two young schemers who inevitably lose control of the situation plus a sarcastic French maid who is just as quick in doling out philosophy as she is with a snarky quip, and you’ve got the fluffiest of soufflés possible. So please sit back, make sure your tray table is in the locked position, buckle up, and enjoy your flight!….”

– SCOTT NICHOLS

 

The Cast

Brandon Bentley (Bernard) - Brandon is very excited to have his biggest role yet as Bernard in Boeing Boeing! He made both his Colonial Players and general stage acting debut in 2014 with This or That, a festival of short plays, starring in both Sure Thing and Tough Cookies. The latter participated in state and regional one-act play contests. Last season he portrayed Sam Weinberg in Colonial Players' production of A Few Good Men, a WATCH award nominee for best play. Aside from acting onstage, Brandon also wrote/directed/ co-starred in the 2012 short horror film The Crossing (also featuring Boeing Boeing’s own costume designer, Christina McAlpine, in a primary role), and hosted the YouTube movie review series Someone Has To Review It! Brandon gives a big round of thanks to his parents, who have supported his love for the arts since he was little, as well as the Colonial Players family who have made him feel at home from the beginning!”

Rebecca Gift (Gretchen) - Rebecca is thrilled to be performing in her first show with Colonial Players. Graduating from Frostburg State University last May, she has performed in a number of theaters in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Most recently, she was seen in Catch Me if You Can with ASGT in Annapolis and is a part of the team at Everyman Theater in Baltimore. She would like to thank all of those involved with this production for being so lovely to work with.

Colin Hood (Robert) - Colin is excited about his first appearance at Colonial Players, but you may have seen him at one of Annapolis Summer Garden Theater’s productions over the years (Spamalot, Catch Me if You Can, Avenue Q). Colin would like to thank his friends and family for supporting his passions and for always having his back. “Sit back and enjoy the flight!”

Debra Kidwell (Gloria) - Debra is happy to make her debut appearance at Colonial Players in this fun and kooky show! Debra loves all things song-and-dance and most recently appeared in the musical Catch Me If You Can with Annapolis Summer Garden Theater (2015). Debra thanks her family for their love, and her friends for their support and inspiration. Enjoy the show! 

CeCe McGee-Newbrough (Berthe) - CeCe is very excited to be doing another show at Colonial Players. She was last seen as Fanny in Watch on the Rhine. Some of her favorites include Annie with Summer Garden Theatre, Death and the Maiden with Dignity Players, and Silvia, Born Yesterday, House of Blue Leaves, Dancing at Lughnasa, and The Clearing at Colonial Players. In addition to raising her beautiful daughter, Ellie, CeCe works part-time for Hugh Blocker, CPA. She would like to extend her love and thanks to her fellow cast members, her family, and her cats....Tater, Tots, and Tangles!!

Sarah Wade (Gabriella) - Sarah is very pleased to be part of the cast of Boeing Boeing, having most recently been seen onstage as Cecily Cardew in Ernest in Love. Other roles at Colonial Players include twins Isabelle and Sabine in the Ruby Griffith Award-winning production of The Liar, Catherine in These Shining Lives, Star-to-Be in Annie, Jessica in Communicating Doors, and Kitty in Taking Steps, as well as many years of A Christmas Carol, most recently as the Charwoman. She also appeared in Dignity Players’ production of Collected Stories as Lisa Morrison. "Thank you to Eric for letting me indulge in one more show before the wedding, to Lois and Carol and they know why, and, of course, to family and friends for understanding that as usual: ‘I can't, I have rehearsal.’"

 

 

The Production Staff

Tim Brown (Co-Producer, Assistant Stage Manager) As a long-time subscriber, Tim has always wanted to become more involved backstage with his favorite theater. His recent retirement has given him the time to do just that. Starting his volunteer activities last year as an usher, he helped hang lights and operate the tech booth for Morning’s at Seven. Now he is delighted to be learning the role of Producer under Joan. Tim says he is honored to be working with so many talented people who are involved just for the love of theater and who are just fun to be around.

Dave Carter (Assistant Director, Stage Manager) Dave is excited to be involved in his third season with Colonial Players after directing a play in the 2014 July One-Act Festival. He appeared in Communicating Doors and These Shining Lives. He was most recently was seen as Commander Walter Stone in A Few Good Men as well as understudy for Watch on the Rhine. Dave feels quite honored to have been asked to be assistant director on such a wonderful show as Boeing Boeing. He jumps at the chance to be a part of farce theater, his favorite genre, especially when he can work with such a great set of actors as well as crew. Dave especially wants to thank his family and friends for all their support and understanding as he has come back to his passion and is often having to say over the past couple of years…. Sorry, I can’t, I have rehearsal.

Ben Cornwell (Sound Manager) Ben returns as sound designer after performing the same role in our previous show, Venus in Fur. He is happy to be working on his 15th season at Colonial Players. His first show was Of Mice and Men in the 2000- 01 season as a sound tech, and he has done a multitude of shows since. He was nominated for a Washington Area Theatre Community Honors award for his sound design in 2010's Frozen and 2014's Superior Donuts, both with Colonial Players. He is excited to be working with such a brilliant director, cast, and crew.

Eric Lund (Lighting Designer) Boeing Boeing is Eric’s third show as a lighting designer this season. He is a nominee for a WATCH Award for best lighting for his work on Side Man in October and teamed up with Alex Brady on the design for Venus in Fur. Eric has worked extensively at Colonial Players and other theaters in the Annapolis area, including Dignity Players, where he appeared in several productions and also served as lighting designer. He appeared on the CP stage in productions of Rebecca, The Clearing, and various years of A Christmas Carol. He played Andrew at Bowie Playhouse in Someone to Watch Over Me, winner of the Ruby Griffith award, and Eugene in Broadway Bound for Vagabond Players. Production credits at CP include directing Voice of the Prairie and the 1993 and 2000 productions of A Christmas Carol; lighting design for Frozen, Kid Purple, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (also set design), Cabaret, Jacques Brel, and Angel Street; and set design for CP’s The Lion in Winter. He thanks his husband, Mickey, for … well … basically everything.

Christina McAlpine (Costume Designer) Christina is glad to be back in the saddle designing costumes for Colonial Players! She has volunteered here and there with CP after moving to Maryland in 2008. She most recently helped lend a sewing hand on A Few Good Men. Past costume design credits at CP include: Dead Man’s Cell Phone and The Curious Savage. She appeared on the CP stage in Wrong Package in the 2010 short play festival. Christina holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of West Florida and has been designing and sewing costumes for almost nine years. During the day, she enjoys working with animals in Catonsville, and at night designing and managing her Etsy shop (PrettyBluEyesVintage). “Special thanks to my patient and supportive significant other, Yanick, my friends and family, and especially my mom, who’s always encouraged and supported my artistic endeavors.”

Constance Robinson (Properties Designer) In the past, Connie has volunteered as marketing assistant, graphic designer, and box office assistant for The Colonial Players and is on the current Marketing Committee. Connie was properties designer for Collected Stories at Dignity Players. For CP, she collected props for: In The Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play (for which she received a WATCH nomination); Annie; Dead Man's Cell Phone; Rocket Man; A Christmas Carol; Watch on the Rhine; and Sherlock's Last Case. She has also assisted with set decoration. Connie thanks her husband, John, for his help by picking up or modifying props. She also thanks her family and friends for loaning some of their belongings as set pieces or props.

Joan Townsend (Co-Producer) Joan has been active in regional theaters since moving to Maryland. In addition to acting (her favorite roles are Ethel P. Savage in The Curious Savage and Lady Thiang in The King and I), she has directed, stage managed, run lights, and designed sound. Her other theatrical adventures included hosting Capital City Profiles, a television interview show on public service access. She is an organization consultant to local governments, churches, and not-for-profit organizations.”Thanks to Rolph for his great support of my hobby!”

Alan Zemla (Set Designer) the resident set designer and scenic artist for The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre in Baltimore, Alan has designed, built, and painted sets for more than two dozen shows in-the-round since 2012. His favorite designs include Hello, Dolly!; Bus Stop; Fiddler on the Roof; Into the Woods; Romeo and Juliet; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; God of Carnage; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; and the U.S. premiere of A Sensation Novel. He is particularly excited to be working in a new space with new people and new challenges (six doors!). His goal is to someday actually design a set that is not in-the-round and has a proscenium. When not painting faux mahogany or marble, Alan spends his days working as a mechanical engineer for TA Engineering in Catonsville, MD. Thanks to Scott Nichols for inviting me to work in this awesome space.