BROOKINGS The Brookings Community Theatre players a small troupe this time, four women and two men bring their Spring Show to the boards of the Fishback Studio Theatre, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, with a fast-paced comedy set in a Paris bachelors apartment: Boeing, Boeing.
Its a simple comedy revolving around French bachelor Bernard (played by Keith Campbell), who manages to juggle three engagements to three lovely female flight attendants from three different countries. He has to pay very close attention to their flight schedules. Of course, if youre in the audience youre likely to see this arrangement destined to become a comedic disaster.
When his best friend Robert (played by Jacob Womack) visits, he finds the whole situation bewildering. Bernard, however, pulls his friend into the action needed to keep the three women from finding out theyre all engaged to the same man. What would happen if the trio of lovely ladies all ended up in Bernards apartment at the same time? Well,
First-time director Carrie (Sieper) McClanahan, a native Minnesotan from Jackson, came to South Dakota State University, pursued a double major theater and media productions and graduated in 2007. Shes been active in Prairie Repertory Theatre and Brookings Community Theatre. Her husband Nathan McClanahan teaches math at SDSU.
She debuted on the BCT boards in 2017 as Danielle Dickens in Unwrapped, billed as a comedy of horrific proportions. She was also onstage in Steel Magnolias and 9 to 5 and as assistant director for Willie Wonka. Laughing a bit, she noted that behind the scenes she heads up the BCT script committee and shes BCT secretary.
Good time to direct
What made McClanahan decide it was time to direct a play? It just felt like the next step. Ive been in a lot of shows. Ive helped a lot in all aspects. This is the next step in my theater experience.
She sees Boeing, Boeing as a good place to debut as director: It could be considered a small production, with a simple setting (an apartment in Paris) and a small cast of four women and two men.
For the first-time director, taking charge has been a bit of a challenge: I like to take in everybodys ideas and then be somewhat decisive, but assertive, she explained. Then laughing, she added, I like to make everyone happy; but this is what I need, this is what I want to do.
McClanahan sees lines as being a challenge in any play shes ever been involved in; and in Boeing, Boeing, especially so. This (play) has a lot of short lines that are quick-witted, so youve got to hit your cues. This is a comedy, a typical farce, so hitting certain words is super important. Timing is everything.
Finally, laughing again, she said, I didnt realize how many decisions Id have to make, every little detail.
Players get to be funny
Womack, 26, in the role of Robert, teaches English in grades seven through 12 in the Hendricks (Minnesota) school system. A native Missourian, he attended Aberdeen Central High School and then attended SDSU, graduating in 2020 with a degree in communications studies.
I love my role, because essentially I get to be the one the audience sympathizes with, he explained. I just show up and I get to watch this disaster unfold and have to just helplessly watch and hope it goes OK.
This role is so fun. Because I find Im at my funniest, not when Im saying funny things myself but reacting to other people being in funny situations. Thats the essence of Robert.
The funny situation is happening all around him. And the comedy comes from not just the situation but his reaction to it. Hes not a direct stakeholder in whats happening; he just gets to watch. And root for his best friend and hope he figures it out.
Playing one of the trio of lovelies is Taylor Lauters in the role of Gloria. Shes having a quick turnaround, having been in the BCT fall production of Dead Mans Cell Phone. That was her BCT debut, playing the widow Hermia. Playing Gloria is quite different.
I just tried to play her with whatever emotions she might have been feeling, giving humor to the situation. Its a lot of fun, she said, smiling and laughing.
Curtain up is 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased: at Brookings Community Theatre or online; in-person at The Cove, 1455 Sixth St.; or at the theatre one hour before curtain up. Cost: $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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