Dan's Papers - May 16, 2008 - review: boeing-boeing

Director Matthew Warchus and his outrageous cast have turned the revival of the slight Boulevard farce Boeing-Boeing into a hilarious highlight of the season. Warchus expertly guides his gifted ensemble to fits of inspired lunacy lifting the 1960s vehicle a mile high with a bold physical production that is a laugh out loud riot.

The story concerns Bernard (Bradley Whitford) an architect living in Paris who has been successfully juggling three "air hostesses" from rival airlines. They just happen to be his fiancées as well. His maid Berthe (Christine Baranski) reluctantly plays the romantic traffic controller as the women fly in and out of his elegant bachelor pad on precisely kept schedules. When an old school chum from Wisconsin, Robert (Mark Rylance), turns up unexpectedly, mayhem ensues as schedules change, flights are delayed, and the women converge in a crescendo of silly over the top chaos.

The retro chic costumes and the sleek set design are by Rob Howell. The women's form-fitting uniforms in contrasting, bright colors are cut to accentuate the curves. And the swanky apartment features a curved wall with seven doors from which the fantastic cast makes frenzied entrances and exits.

Playing the broad physical style while adhering to the visceral truth is a marvelous group of actors led by the astonishing Mark Rylance in his Broadway debut and reprising the role from the hit London production. He is a master of physical comedy, embodying the shy retiring nebbish who shrinks inconspicuously from sight or bursts into unpredictable flights of manic energy. Rylance's Robert is at first overwhelmed by the beautiful women and his friend's unbelievable life style. But as he attempts to cover up for Bernard, he is transformed from a meek bystander into a player with a clever cover. He navigates the unexpected turbulence with hysterically funny results, calling to mind vintage Stan Laurel.

Right behind him in a less flashy role as the cocksure Bernard, Whitford practically skips from the pure intoxication of his bliss and later shudders with horror, even doing splits on one occasion, as the tale escalates and disaster looms. Less successful and possibly still discovering her footing is Christine Baranski as the maid. She has many outlandish moments, but her characterization feels somewhat one-noted.

The three duped women at the core of the story shine: Kathryn Hahn as Gloria, a hedonist gold-digging American with her own hidden agenda; Gina Gershon as the fiery hot-blooded jealous Italian; Mary McCormack as Gretchen, a terrifyingly intense German with a crazed defense of the benefits of sauerkraut. They embrace their stereotypical bimbo images with an emblazoned passion for the broad style that is both side-splittingly funny and subtly nuanced. These beautiful, accomplished actresses are at the top of their game and in full flight.

If audience reaction is any sort of gauge, expect the delightful concoction Boeing-Boeing to be around for quite a long run. And if laughter is indeed healing then the revival must be a deliriously good tonic!

Boeing-Boeing opened on Broadway May 4, 2008 at the Longacre Theatre, 220 West 48th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. For tickets call 212-239-6200 or visit the theatre box office.

Theater critics Barry Gordin and Patrick Christiano are members of the Drama Desk. Barry is an internationally renowned photographer and Patrick is artistic director of SilvaRoad Productions. Visit their website at www.theaterlife.com