Boeing, Boeing: It’s Good Stuff

By Fay Bcharah

Whether staging a play or choral performance, or exhibiting student and faculty art, Worcester State University’s Visual and Performing Arts Department is able to make the most of a variety of creative mediums. And this spring will be no different, as the VPA stages a production of Boeing, Boeing, a comical farce set in the 1960s.

Main character and consummate bachelor Bernard, played by student actor Eddie Sanchez, lives a happy and contented life in Paris. He juggles three flight attendants’ schedules. They all visit him at his flat between flights, and none have even an inkling about each other.

Nothing can go wrong, right?

Wrong.

As airlines implement a newer, faster Boeing jet, Bernard’s notion of the flight attendant’s schedules becomes disoriented. They all end up at his flat at the same time. His longtime friend from Wisconsin, Robert, unexpectedly arrives in town as well. Stuck in between the mess, he tries his best to remember which woman is which.

A 21-year-old senior and VPA major at WSU, Eddie Sanchez, spoke about his experience playing Bernard.

“The level of energy and urgency that comes with a role like this is always such a joy to play on stage, especially when that energy and urgency become so physical in the character,” Sanchez said.

The show runs April 27-29 at 8:00 p.m. and April 30 at 2:00 p.m. in Fuller Theater, located in the Administration Building. Tickets are $14 for the general public, $10 for senior citizens, and $7 for students.

With over 15 arts events per year, the VPA provides entertainment to the campus and community at large. Adam Zahler, VPA department chair said state universities should be looked at as a resource for students and citizens of Worcester.

“A state university should have a vital function,” Zahler said. “People should be looking at universities to see plays.”

The VPA provides three to four gallery exhibits, 10-12 music performances, and three full theatre productions all open to the public.

With the collaboration of students and faculty, the VPA presents Boeing, Boeing.

Zahler said, “It’s good stuff, come see it!”