Let's cut to the chase. It was absolutely most positively just PURE UNADULTERATED JOY to watch Repertory Philippines' Boeing Boeing. Its a breath of fresh air to sometimes watch an uncomplicated, simple predictable plot unfold on stage. The challenge in staging formula stories is the execution. Kudos to icon Miguel Faustman for presenting an old story and making it feel relevant forever.
The story's charm is all about colorful stereotypes, the classic playboy, the naive nerd next door friend, the alluring flight attendants and of course the grumpy household help.Boeing Boeing is about a playboy Bernard (David Bianco) who juggles three gorgeous flight attendants using his black book of international time route schedules. Robert ( Topper Fabregas ), an old friend visits him and gets a taste of what it's like to be Bernard. The three gorgeous flight attendants who unknowingly are sharing a fiance all meet Robert at separate times. Changes in flight schedules results into a chaotic household with Robert, Bernard and Bertha ( the nanny played by "the Baby Barredo") man handling the ladies one at a time. If only to save a friend's life, Robert is the one who practically orchestrates the "avoid-death-by-ladies" plan . As fate would have it the story is resolved with a bit of luck. Playboy gets the sweetie. Friend gets the hottie and the sassy one runs off to marry a millionaire. All is well that ends well. Oops.... let's not forget about dear Bertha who got a raise four times over.
ALL PRAISES
Topper Fabregas, prince of local theatre (and one of my personal favorites) performed at his best. Having watched the preview, it was cool to see him so comfortable with his role. I could tell that Baby Barredo was throwing ad libs here and there and he responded beautifully. Their scenes were priceless. A veteran and a seasoned actor creating funny moments for everyone to share. They were hilarious.
Scene stealer of the night goes to Carla Dunareanu who played the german flight attendant from Lufthansa. I'm not quite sure if she's crazy in real life but she did a whole lot of crazy on stage. I applaud her for going all the way..... (I hope the medic checked here after each show.... there were some cirque de soleil moves in there) . She was the funniest of the three. And..... she was funny while still being consistent in her portrayal. Her interpretation of being German was right en pointe. She smoothly shifted from dominating female to romantic damsel while successfully making my ribs and jaw hurt from laughing.
Gianina Ocampo was the perkiest Parisian you could ever meet. Jennifer Blair- Bianco was just a perfect mix of naughty and nice, every bit the American dream girl. David Bianco?....... he was entertaining as the gigolo. He must have had some influence from "Barney Stinson". I loved his confidence. Who can forget Baby Barredo? She's just funny.... funny funny funny. I'm glad that actresses like her remain committed to their art. I say this because its simply a treat to see veterans do what they do best, their art.
Over all, the cast who had fun made everyone else have fun. It is because of this that I will forgive the foreign accent slips.I will also forgive the microphone mishaps. At the end of the day or in this case night at the the theatre, it is the feeling that you leave with the audience that is more important than the technicalities. The audience that night were howling in laughter. So I guess that makes the show a success. Bravo Repertory Philippines. Til we meet again.
