Boeing, Boeing

I love a good farce, it's something you have to see live, films just don't do it. Live farce is like watching trapeze artists without a net. One missed connection, one door banging a second too late, and it all falls flat. IMHO, the British do farce the best, at least of the ones I've seen.

Boeing Boeing is a farce currently playing at the Long Acre on Broadway. I walked in incredibly hot and cranky (it's so humid out, that you literally melt as you walk down the street) And I winced at the opening scene - set in the 60's, a too old American man (Bradley Whitford) tells his friend of his ideal life - with 3 fiances and no intention of getting married. I thought, he's in his 50's this role should go to a man in his mid 30's. And how mean of him, who wants to see this, him exploiting the hearts of these 3 air line hostesses... and while I heard laughs, I didn't really join in.

But as the ridiculousness grew and the marvelous Mark Rylance (who was in the original London cast, and won a Tony for this role on Broadway) and Mary McCormack got more time, I started to smile. By the second act, I could no longer resist and was laughing out loud with the rest of the audience. It was so silly, so light, so perfect - like a souffle, airy and delicious and delicate. And just plain silly and funny. Physical comedy, word play, crazy over acting (Mary McCormack was just perfect as the hysterical German air hostess, obsessively in love) and beautiful underacting (Mark Rylance makes the word Wisconsin funny, all by itself... though come to think of it, Wisconsin is a pretty funny word.) Gina Gershon was very sexy and Kathryn Hahn was frankly frightening as the voracious american hostess. The cast was rounded off by Christine Baranski playing the overworked, existential French maid, with a dreadful accent but great attitidue!

So for a very funny, very silly night out, go see Boeing Boeing (click for a good you tube clip) and have yourself a giggle.