Jillian Drapala (left), of Dearborn Heights as Gabriella of Alitalia confronts Bernard, played by Alex Gojkov of Dearborn, while Jennifer Beitzel of Northville as Gretchen of Lufthansa is suspicious of what Bernard and Robert, played by Nick Graham of Van Buren Township are telling her in the comedy “Boeing, Boeing.” The show runs weekends now through Jan. 26 at the Players Guild of Dearborn. For tickets or more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.
By SUE SUCHYTA
If you seek something to take your mind off recent weather-related worries, head for the Players Guild of Dearborn for some intense laughter therapy as the comedy “Boeing, Boeing” takes off Jan. 10 as the third show of the Players Guild of Dearborn’s 86th season.
The 1960s French farce, written by Marc Camoletti, and translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans, is set in Paris, where Bernard has three stewardess-fiancées, each on a different airline.
Gabriella is on Alitalia, Gretchen is on Lufthansa and Gloria is on TWA. With the help of his acerbic housekeeper Berthe, Bernard juggles all three until advances in airline technology speed up the flights and set his love life on a flight path for disaster.
His friend Robert, visiting from the states, is distraught from the start, and his nervousness adds to the unpredictability of the plot.
Director by Brian Townsend of Dearborn is blessed with a talented cast and a gift for comedic timing, pacing and brilliant blocking.
The farce is not a door slamming cat and mouse game – it is more narrow and hilariously lucky escapes that will leave you shrieking with unexpected gales of laughter when you least expect it. Yes – it is that good. The truly talented cast makes it even better.
Alex Gojkov of Dearborn plays conniving playboy Bernard with confidence and comedic timing that one cannot help but like and root for even if the character is a superficial hedonist. It is amusing to see his carefully calculated system crash in the face of faster flights and uncooperative weather.
Nick Graham of Van Buren Township is entertaining as Robert, Bernard’s stateside buddy, who has no idea of the bumpy ride ahead. Both his nervousness and eager but awkward ardor for the feminine trio brings out the best of his abilities.
Margaret Kinnell of Dearborn is both funny and frightening as Berthe, the housekeeper who begrudgingly helps Bernard keep track of his triple track of trysts.
The three flight attendants – Kori Bielaniec of Westland as Gloria of TWA, Jennifer Beitzel of Northville as Gretchen of Lufthansa and Jillian Drapala of Dearborn Heights as Gabriella of Alitalia – are delightfully unique and entertaining. Each character has her own unique quirks, accent and impulsive personality traits. Their comings and goings – and their justified suspicions – set the scene for building laughter, closer calls and laugh-out-loud hilarity.
The white and soft gray of the set allow the distinct hues of each stewardesses’ uniform to pop with a bright splash of color as each enter and leave with increasing regularity.
The show opened Jan. 10, and runs for two more weekends, Jan. 17 to 19, and 24 to 26, with 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances and 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinees.
The theater is at 21730 Madison in Dearborn. For tickets or more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to www.playersguildofdearborn.org.
DAG HOLDS “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR” AUDITIONS
Downriver Actors Guild auditions for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” run 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10 and 11, with possible callbacks Feb. 12 at Out of the Box Theater, 1165 Ford Ave. in Wyandotte.
The show, which runs June 6 to 8 and 13 to 15, features direction by Harold Jurkiewicz and John Sartor, with vocal direction by Paul Abbott and orchestral direction by Richard Alder Jr.
“Superstar” will be the first show in DAG’s new 192-seat theater at Superior and Biddle in Wyandotte, a 6,500-square foot building undergoing renovation. The building once housed Robert Hall Menswear.
Those auditioning should bring a headshot and résumé and sing a song similar to the style of the show, with sheet music in their key for DAG’s accompanist.
Actors auditioning for Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene or Herod must prepare one of the character’s songs from the show.
Actors should dress comfortably and be prepared to learn a short dance routine as part of the audition process. Peyton Bias is choreographing, with Michael Suchyta as assistant choreographer and dance captain.
Roles are open to all races and ethnicities, but casting will be age appropriate. Actors Equity Association members are not eligible, and there are no actor subsidies or stipends. Apostles, age 16 and up, will play other roles as well. A few children, ages 8 to 12, will be in scenes.
Deborah Aue, DAG artistic director, said Jurkiewicz and Sartor, who have worked together on past productions of “Superstar,” are excited to be collaborating again on one of their favorite shows.
Aue said they intend to bring the production to life while being true to its original rock opera format.
For additional character descriptions and voice ranges, go to the Downriver Actors Guild Facebook page or the group’s website, downriveractorsguild.net, or go to an internet search site like en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ_Superstar.
SCP CLOSES NEIL SIMON TRILOGY WITH AWARD-WINNING “BROADWAY BOUND”
Southgate Community Players open “Broadway Bound” Feb. 7, the third of Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical Eugene trilogy, following “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Biloxi Blues.”
The show runs two weekends, at 8 p.m. Feb. 7, 8, 14 and 15 at Davidson Middle School, 15800 Trenton Rd. in Southgate.
For tickets or more information call 734-282-4727 or go to www.scponstage.com.
Directed by Jema McCardell of Trenton, the show follows brothers Eugene and Stanley Jerome as they strive to become comedy writers for radio, and eventually television, while their parents’ marriage disintegrates.
The play was nominated for four Tony Awards in 1987, winning two (Best Actress for Linda Lavin and Best Featured Actor for John Randolph), and was a 1987 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Woodhaven residents Christopher Gawel and Stephen Phillips play brothers Stan and Eugene Jerome, with Cheryl and Rob Eagal of Trenton portraying their parents, Kate and Jack Jerome. Kelly Klug of Lincoln Park plays Aunt Blanche, with Rich Alder of Westland as their grandfather Ben.