Review: BOEING BOEING at Indiana Repertory Theatre

One man, three fiancés, one Paris apartment; what could possibly go wrong? The Indiana Repertory Theatre presents Boeing Boeing, a farce set in the 1960s and complete with all the hallmarks of the genre. The three women are all flight attendants from different countries.

Bernard (Matt Schwader) is a charming man whose selfish view of the world leads him to believe that dating three women, who all think they're the only one, is the perfectly acceptable. When his old friend Robert arrives from Wisconsin the show really gets moving. Robert (Chris Klopatek) is bumbling and sweet and completely overwhelmed by this unusual situation. His naïveté pairs well with Schwader's worldly confidence.

The essential element of any farce set is plenty of doors! The trendy '60s set, complete with period furniture and art, certainly covers that criteria. With seven doorways, the characters have plenty of options for dramatic entrances and exits. A porthole window and balcony add even more fun for the all-seeing maid Berthe. A well-placed beanbag chair plays prominently in the show as the perfect prop for prat falls. Klopatek and Greta Wohlrabe (Gretchen) are both particularly great at the physical comedy.

Farces have never been my personal favorite. I usually end up feeling sorry for whichever character is being deceived. But that's a critique of the genre, not the show. This one is well-acted and entertaining. You won't leave mulling over big life questions, but your step will certainly be lighter.

Don't Miss the Show The Indiana Repertory Theatre is located at 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, one-half block west of the Circle Center Mall between northbound Illinois St. and southbound Capitol Ave. "Boeing Boeing" runs until April 210 on IRT's OneAmerica Mainstage. Times for performances can be found at www.irtlive.com or by calling the IRT box office at (317) 635-5252. To purchase tickets call (317) 635-5252 or order online at www.irtlive.com