STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN SHULTZ
Bernard is a smooth-talking cad who operates according to a meticulous schedule—albeit, a schedule that is definitely more rushed than relaxed.
After all, it’s imperative that his fiancé Gloria, a flight attendant for TWA, makes it out the door on the way to the airport before Gabriella, his fiancé from Italia Air, shows up. And he can’t have Gabriella hanging around when Gretchen, his fiancé from Lufthansa, shows up at his apartment in Paris for a layover.
But, as long as you plan and stay on schedule, it’s a perfect system, asserts Bernard, played by Timothy C. Goodwin.
Sooner than later, of course, schedules are bound to go awry, and that’s the premise behind the comedy “Boeing Boeing,” being staged through July 13 by the Liberty Theatre Company at The Liberty Theater in Hailey.
”Drink up, we’re in for a bumpy night,” observes Bernard’s maid Berthe wryly, as she fields phone calls and telegrams letting Bernard know that they all will be arriving on the same night.
The Tony Award-winning play by French playwright Marc Camoletti is the perfect summer recipe for a day at the beach—or a night at the theater. Like light summer reading it’s entertaining, not strenuous to get through.
And it can be seen from the cushy Liberty Theatre seats, which are like wrapping yourself in a plush beach towel.
The audience is immediately introduced to Gloria, the brash TWA stewardess played by Hannah Nye. It’s easy not to like Gloria, and she serves as a great set-up for the long-suffering maid Berthe, played by Andrew Alburger who immediately endears herself to the audience as she serves Gloria pancakes.
“I’ll do it, but it isn’t easy,” Berthe says repeatedly throughout the play.
Into the play steps Robert, played by Chris Harcum. Robert is socially awkward, even pathetic but clearly amazed and envious of his old college chum’s ability to keep three beautiful women on a string when he can’t even field one.
Robert is way too high strung and anxious as the play begins but settles into a much more believable role as the audience begins to focus on his reaction to the comings and goings.
Tiara Thompson plays Gabriella, a frustrated but passionate Italian stewardess. And Naomi McDougall Jones, the theater company’s artistic director, plays Gretchen, a bold, somewhat overbearing German stewardess.
McDougall Jones, who has numerous Hollywood credits on her resume, has never disappointed in any of the roles she’s taken on since she moved to the Wood River Valley a few years ago. And, she is dynamite in this role, especially when it comes to the accidental kiss where she fights against temptation while Robert becomes more and more emboldened.
The setting is like a bustling airport where characters navigate runways with split-second timing as they enter and depart through seven doors. But it’s manageable, unlike some farces where there’s just too much running in and out of doors and running around in general.
There are no cat fights—hallelujah! And there are some twists and turns and surprising endings that you may not have seen coming.
The show starts at 7 p.m. July 5-6 and 10-13. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, July 7.
Tickets are available at https://www.libertytheatrecompany.org/. Or, purchase The Liberty Theater Company 2024-25 Pay-What-You-Feel Season Pass, paying any amount of money you wish in exchange for general admission tickets to this and four other productions in the upcoming season.
You can also buy a Premium Pass for $1,500, which guarantees behind-the-scene peeks and VIPs perks for those who want to support the theater at a higher level.
Questions? Call 208-582-8388.