Stage West’s current production, Boeing Boeing running until April 19th will fall into the “Love it or hate it” category; if you enjoy over the top comical farce, you will love the show. If that is not your cup of tea, you may hate it. As is often the case with farce, there isn’t really an in-between.
That is not a knock on the show or its cast. While the billing lists Peter Scolari as the star, the show is really an ensemble, and Stage West has assembled some of Calgary’s finest performers for it. In particular Elinor Holt, who is easily one of my favorite actresses in the city, steals each and every scene she plays - in this case, as Bertha the housekeeper. Scolari admitted that there are times he cannot look at Holt during the show because she is so funny. Carrie Schiffler, Chantal Perron and Nicole Zylstra all throw a ton of energy and charm into their roles as the three airhostess girlfriends of Bernard (Martin Evans).
The story of Boeing Boeing centers on Robert (Scolari) who visits his friend Bernard at his Paris flat. Bernard tells Robert that he, in fact, has multiple relationships that he juggles. Everything goes to hell when all three of his girlfriends arrive at the same time, leaving Robert to try and help his friend juggle things. Comedy ensues.
“There are four versions of this show. This show was written in French by an Italian, translated in 1962 for London, then revised for Broadway in 1965. Then revived thirty years later,” Scolari explained. “I was in this [show] in Toronto. They called me about doing this version, which is a lot more challenging with wit and more dialogue.”
Scolari is no stranger to Calgary, where he lived for three years shooting the TV series Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.
“I am glad to be here, my son was born here. For someone out of New York City it is refreshing to be around people where, if you look them in the eye, somebody is home.”
Scolari’s face is instantly recognizable from the 300+ TV and film appearances he has made, including Newhart and teaming with Tom Hanks in the 80’s comedy Bosom Buddies. Working on stage is a very different experience, he says.
“Stage work is very personal. If you have a great show, ten minutes after I am thinking what I can do better. When you film something it is gone, preserved, captured and not yours anymore. I am lucky in that I have worked with great material and directors so there isn’t much I want back. When you want something back from a stage performance you look for it the next night. “
The role of Robert is very physical, bringing about memories for me of John Ritter in Three’s Company. Scolari falls over furniture, trips, and runs around like a madman. Not an easy task for a 53 year old.
”By and large I have had enough time to get used to the mechanics of what I am doing, so I know where my safety is. In ten previews I have a couple of nicks and bruised my ankle once. I have been truly looked after in this show by (director) Marty Fishman. Marty is an exceptional director and he got to know me very fast. There is a lot to what I am doing so I am not just falling all over the stage for no reason.”
While Scolari is listed as the headliner on the playbill, he made it clear that Boeng Boeng is a group effort.
“I never had the mindset about [being a] celebrity. It gave me opportunities in New York and to travel and work but I was warned very early on never to buy my own hype. I am not saying I didn’t for a year or two and think I was entitled, but in this life you are not entitled to anything. I have been taught and mentored by people and hold to being a straight up guy, and the rest I can’t be bothered with. The billboard getting asses in the seats, I am all for it. I am on a team and each one of the cast is very gifted. We all feel that way. I would be embarrassed to be the star in energy or needing more attention or to be treated differently. It happens and I do everything I can to squash that.”
Of course, we had to ask Scolari about his stint as Henry Desmond on Bosom Buddies. The show featured Scolari and Tom Hanks as bachelors who have to pretend to be women in order to get an apartment they could afford. While not gay, seeing men in drag on network television was unheard of in 1980.
“We were always so upset because we took such a beating in TV guide. ‘The boys are good but the show is stupid.’ Maybe it was stupid at times, but it was a half hour sitcom. About a year after us doing the show, Tootsie came out as a film and was universally adored, and we thought it was just as silly a show, even though it was a wonderful movie,” he recalled. “There are a few episodes we were very proud of. The drag thing was disconcerting, we thought it was just part of the pilot to get us on the air, but then the producers wanted to run with it. It was a frustrating experience but also a lot of joy. Tom and I are closer than the Bosom Buddies ever were because we went through that and shared it as a day to day survival in comedy. We thought we were in trouble.”
Playing a cross dressing character could have been a death knell for many actors. Scolari went on to have a successful career in theatre and TV, and Hanks is a 2-time Oscar winner and three-time nominee.
“Tom has done alright since then,” Scolari joked. “We didn’t have any problems after the show ended. We were antic. I was never asked to do it again so it wasn’t typecast. I got in drag for Betty White for the comedy awards a few years ago, but that is it.”
While Stage West has been on a musically inclined kick in the last few years, shows like Boeing Boeing brings its audience back to the origins of Stage West with guest stars and straight forward shows. While I love the music reviews and musicals, it is a nice change to see a show like this one grace the stage.
