Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director and Michael Stotts, Managing Director today announced the cast and creative team for Boeing-Boeing the high-flying Tony Award-winning comedy that will land at Hartford Stage from January 12 through February 12, 2012. Directed by Hartford Stage resident director Maxwell Williams, press night is Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m.
About the show: "An uproarious jet-propelled comedy – Boeing-Boeing had audiences and critics airborne with laughter on Broadway and London’s West End. Bernard, a successful architect living in Paris, thinks he can easily juggle his three flight attendant fiancées Gretchen, Gloria and Gabriella. It’s all a question of timing and a little help from his trusted housekeeper Berthe who reluctantly plays romantic air traffic controller. When an old friend Robert arrives and his three fiancées each change their flight schedules, his life hits some unexpected turbulence."
Broadway and television actress Denny Dillon returns to Hartford Stage in the role of Berthe. Making their Hartford Stage debuts are Claire Brownell (Broadway: The 39 Steps) as Gretchen, Ryan Farley (DC’s Shakespeare Theatre Company) as Robert, Kelly D. Felthous (NSMT’s Legally Blonde) as Gloria, and Kathleen McElfresh (Roundabout’s Present Laughter) as Gabriella. Vince Nappo (directed by Darko Tresnjak in Theatre for a New Audience’s The Merchant of Venice) recently seen in the Hartford Stage Brand:NEW Festival’s Days of Rage will play Bernard.
Written in French by Marc Camoletti and translated by Beverly Cross for its 1962 London premiere, Boeing, Boeing held a world record for the longest-running comedy in the West End, playing over 2,000 performances. John Rich directed the film version starring Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis. Boeing-Boeing became the most performed French play in the world according to Guinness World Records. Boeing-Boeing received the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a play.
The production features scenic design by David M. Barber, costume design by Thomas Charles LeGalley, lighting design by Traci Klainer Polimeni, sound design by Fitz Patton.
Key Dates and Information
Tickets for Boeing-Boeing are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 860-527-5151 or by visiting hartfordstage.org.
Low-priced preview performances run January 12 - 18.
Opening Night for Boeing-Boeing is Friday, January 20 at 8:00 p.m.
The production runs January 12 through February 5. Evening performances are weeknights (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. and weekends (Friday and Saturday) at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Sundays and selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. For a more specific schedule of performances, call the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.
Open Captioned performances of Boeing-Boeing will take place on January 29 at 7:30 p.m. This state of the art service provides the dialogue of the production on a text screen on one side of the stage and is synchronized with the onstage performance. Open captioning assists people with varying degrees of hearing loss as well as hearing audience members who might not catch every word during a performance.
The Audio Described performance of Boeing-Boeing will be February 4. Audio description enables audience members who are blind or have low vision to hear descriptions of actions, body language, lights, costumes, scenery and other aspects of the production not conveyed by voices from the stage. This service is provided during the 2:00 p.m. Saturday Matinee Series 25.
Cocktails with the Cast takes place after January 27 performance. Join members of the cast after the show for drinks in our lower lobby lounge. Cocktails with the Cast events are free and held on Friday evenings after opening night. Drink specials and cash bar.
The Dinner and Design performance is January 17. Pre-show dinner hosted by Hartford Stage's costume shop manager and guest artists with a discussion focused on costumes and the design the process of each show. $20 per person
The Pasta and Producing a Play performance is January 26. Come early and bring your appetite for a catered pre-show dinner in our Room! Managing Director Michael Stotts will join you for a behind-the-scenes discussion about what goes into producing a play. Cash bar. Pasta & Producing a Play is offered on the third Thursday Evening MainStage performance and can be added to your subscription for $20. Reservations Required.
Photos by T. Charles Erickson
Kathleen McElfresh and Vince Nappo
Kelly D. Felthous and Ryan Farley
Vince Nappo
Ryan Farley
Ryan Farley and Kelly D. Felthous
Denny Dillon and Claire Brownell
Ryan Farley and Denny Dillon
Vince Nappo and Kathleen McElfresh
Ryan Farley and Vince Nappo
Vince Nappo and Kelly D. Felthous
Denny Dillon and Vince Nappo
