“Boeing-Boeing”
Paper Mill Playhouse, Milburn, NJ – January 22, 2012 – 7:00 pm
by Elli – The King Of Broadway

Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! If you need more reasons to go see  “Boeing-Boeing” at The Paper Mill Playhouse they would be John Scherer (as Robert), Matt Walton (as Bernard), Anne Horak (as Gretchen), Brynn O’Malley (as Gabriella), and Heather Parcells (as Gloria). Did I mention Tony® Award-winner Beth Leavel (as Bertha)?

James Brennan’s direction of this almost forgotten French farce will surely become the standard by which all future productions will be measured.

The original 1962 French version by Marc Camoletti played in France for 19 years. After being translated into English by Beverley Cross (Maggie Smith’s 2nd husband) it had an amazing run of 7 years on London’s West End; but when brought to Broadway in 1965 it ran for only 23 performances. It was however, made into a funny, if not forgotten, film starring Tony Curtis, Jerry Lewis with Thelma Ritter as Bertha the maid. In 1991,the play was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most performed French play throughout the world. “Boeing-Boeing” was revived in London in at the Comedy Theatre running from February 2007, through January 2008 at which time the London production was once again brought back to Broadway where it had a run of 279 performances.

Which brings us back to: Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel! Beth Leavel!

Beth Leavel in Boeing-Boeing at the Paper Mill Playhouse

Ms. Leavel’s brilliance in this role had me laughing so hard it brought me to tears. Typically Ms. Leavel is dressed to the nines in all of the roles I’ve seen her play, but here she is dressed down to become the schleppy, dowdy  and completely unglamorous maid, Bertha, playing the role as over the top as she can. (She confided in me that her “French” accent is based on the late Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau character). Ms. Level is loud and physical using every body part to convey her disapproval at her boss’s shenanigans, going as far as pratfalls and sloshing around on the floor to the delight of the audience.

Lest you think this review(er) is all about Beth Leavel (sigh), the entire cast shines bright as well.

Matt Walton plays Bernard, a suave and easy on the eyes playboy living the high life in Paris and juggling 3 stewardesses from 3 different airlines with 3 different schedules. Each one thinks that she is engaged to Bernard, until the 747 comes along to modernize the sky and complicate his life. When the ladies’ perfect schedules come undone, so does Bernard.

Lucky for him Robert, an old buddy from college (wonderfully played  by John Scherer as a nebish who comes through in a pinch), decides to look him up on his first trip to Paris. Being invited to stay there after Bernard brags about his  perfect arrangement , Robert is able to witness first hand how the system works and then helps to try and hold it all together when it all comes crashing down.

As the three Stewardesses/Fiancées, Gretchen (Anne Horak), Gabriella (Brynn O’Malley), and Gloria (Heather Parcells), bring their own brand of quirks and madness to the mix making this an outstanding evening of comedy and fun.

I strongly suggest you take a trip out to the Paper Mill Playhouse to see this wonderful production.

Matt Walton, Heather Parcells, Tony® Award-winner Beth Leavel, Anne Horak, Brynn O'Malley and John Scherer

Boeing-Boeing will be performed eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday until February 12th. Tickets are on sale starting at $25 and may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, NJ or online at www.papermill.org.

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