Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Riotous farce “Boeing, a 1960s comedy, at Chattanooga Theatre touches down Centre. FRIDAY THROUGH JUNE 24
The riotous farce “Boeing Boeing” is touching down in Chattanooga when the groovy 1960s comedy opens in the Circle Theatre at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre on Friday, June 8, continuing through Sunday, June 24.
Under the helm of guest director Rodney Van Valkenburg, “Boeing, Boeing” will take audiences back to a time of stewardesses — not flight attendants — with mod mini-dresses, go-go boots and infectious dance music.
This classic physical comedy is designed for laughs. Swinging bachelor Bernard seems to have it made: He’s got an apartment in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses, all from competing airlines and all engaged to him without knowing about the others. One is American, one is Italian, one is German — and they’re all head-over-heels for Bernard.
Ingeniously, he’s arranged it so that their layovers don’t overlap, keeping each woman on a perfect rotation in and out of his life. Until, that is, the airlines begin employing the speedy Boeing aircraft, cutting down travel times and creating a nightmare scenario in which all three are in town at the same time.
In the calm before the storm, Bernard’s friend, Robert, comes to town and is thrust into the position of helping housekeeper Berthe cover for Bernard. Until, of course, the ruse comes crashing down. So fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
“We’re setting this in the 1960s so people naturally think of hippies, but also at that time there were people trying to be cool, mod and hip. One of my visual images (from that decade) is actually Adam West, who was known as Batman. But when he wasn’t Batman, he had that image of a playboy. Bernard is someone like Adam West, who thinks he’s hip and cool — he’s just not as smart as he seems,” explains Van Valkenburg.
Even though the play’s setting is a 50-year throwback, Van Valkenburg says the story is still relevant and universal.
“It’s a guy trying to beat the system, thinking he’s smarter than everybody else.”
Chase Parker plays Bernard the bachelor. Rounding out the ensemble are Katie Cam- passi, Annie Collins, Jim Eernisse, Kelseigh Garrett and Kitty Reel.
Adam Miecielica is the guest set designer, and Lisa Eash is guest costume designer.
Due to limited seating in the Circle Theatre, reservations are recommended. Call the Theatre Centre box office, 423-267-8534, or check the website TheatreCentre.com.