DORSET - Some people have a hard time committing. The fear of losing the variety in life and love becomes a barrier to making that next step. But, in Marc Carmoletti's "Boeing-Boeing", Bernard has found a way to the best of both worlds - by having three finances! The three ladies are all airhostesses, who travel on different airlines, and Bernard - with the help of his dutiful maid Bertha, keeps close track of their timetables, their preferences, and their personal items. What happens when the careful planning and bad weather do not cooperate is a classic French farce.

Now showing at the Dorset Theatre Festival, this lively comedy will keep audiences on their toes and laughing out loud. Directed by DTF veteran Jenn Thompson, each character is introduced slowly, and she gradually picks up the pace until everybody is running around, slamming doors, and exchanging kisses and lies.

Bernard, played by Alec Beard, has it all going for him, and is obsessively organized with his three separate lives. One cannot imagine when he might have time to work to support his lavish lifestyle, but "work" does come in as a handy excuse. He is joined unexpectedly by an old college friend, Robert, played by David Christopher Wells, who is immediately invited to stay in the apartment. Not quite as suave as his pal Bernard, Robert is a bit unsure of the situation he finds himself in.

Gloria, played by Finnerty Steevens, is the first fiancée. An American, who works for TWA, is probably the


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most straight-forward of the bunch. She, as the other girls, is a complete stereotype of her nationality. As she departs for her trip, Gabriella, played by Kate Middleton, arrives for a quick lunch before her next trip. Gabriella, an Italian working for Air Italia is a class-act and has some suspicions toward Bernard's strange behaviors.

Rounding out the bunch is Gretchen, played by Liv Roth, who travels with Lufthansa. She is the most dramatic of them all, and it is with her entry that the farce gets knocked into gear. Robert finds he is attracted to this exotic, passionate woman, and tries in his awkward way to make advances.

With the help of Bertha, played by Amelia White, the two men have to work in tandem to keep the women from finding out about each other. The cast all works very well together, each actor demonstrating a clear commitment to their character and the genre.

The whole thing is silliness, which is perfect for summer theater. The set, by Kevin Judge is simple but lovely, and the costumes, by Emily Pepper, are a ton of fun - just think of 1960s era air hostess uniforms and underwear. The men are handsome, the women are beautiful. Altogether, this show is a lot of fun, and should be a great success for the DorsetTheatre Festival.

Boeing-Boeing will run through July 28th. Tickets and information can be found at www.dorsettheatrefestival.org, at the playhouse box office on Cheney Road in Dorset Vermont, or by calling 802-867-2223.