The Independent
As the weather gets crisper and the nights get longer, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is gearing up for its fall season. The outrageous farce “Boeing Boeing” by Marc Camoletti opens Wednesday, Sept. 17, and Steven Dietz’s adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure” opens Thursday, Sept. 18. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” which opened in June, bridges the gap between summer and fall. All three shows will run in repertory in the Randall L. Jones Theatre through Oct. 18.
“The fall season is an extension to our summer programming that offers patrons another glimpse into the festival’s offerings,” artistic director Brian Vaughn said. “’Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure‘ and ‘Boeing Boeing,’ alongside Shakespeare’s very popular ‘Twelfth Night,’ make for an exciting slate of plays that continue to explore variety, comedy, mystery, and love. These are all a part of our continued mission in bringing classic and contemporary drama to our audience. Plus, it is the most beautiful time to visit Southern Utah. We have delightful drama all around.”
“Boeing Boeing” is about American playboy Bernard Lawrence, an architect based in Paris. He lives with his Italian, German, and American fiancées, all flight attendants for three different airlines. However, none of the women know about each other, and this is exactly the way Bernard has designed it. Things begin to unravel when there is a change to the women’s flight schedules, making it increasingly difficult to keep them apart, and eventually bringing all three of them home on the same day.
In addition, Bernard’s longtime friend, Robert Lambert, has arrived in town unexpectedly. He is brought in on the outrageous arrangement and finds himself trying to help Bernard and the sticky situation he is in. It is a bumpy but hilarious ride in this farce full of flirtatious hijinks, slamming doors, and utter confusion.
The world’s greatest detective has seemingly reached the end of his remarkable career in “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure,” when a case presents itself that is too tempting to ignore. The King of Bohemia is about to be blackmailed by a notorious photograph, and the woman at the heart of this crime is the famous opera singer, Irene Adler. With his trusted companion, Watson, at his side, Sherlock Holmes pursues first the case, and then the affections of Miss Adler; and in doing so, marches right into the lair of his longtime adversary, the malevolent genius of crime Moriarty.
Could this be Sherlock Holmes’ final case? Could the logical detective who has survived poison, pistols, and other predicaments actually be laid low by his love for a woman? “The game is afoot, Watson — and it is a dangerous one!”
“Twelfth Night” starts with Viola and Sebastian separated at sea due to a shipwreck. Viola lands in Illyra and disguises herself as a man, Cesario, and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia. Viola, dressed as a Cesario, woos Olivia, but she starts to fall in love with Orsino, as Olivia starts to fall in love with Cesario. Confusion continues as Sir Andrew, Toby Belch, and Maria conspire to make Olivia’s pompous steward, Malvolio, believe that Olivia has fallen for him. In the end, the hilarious cast of characters do find love, even when they least expect it.
“As ‘Twelfth Night’ continues to receive glowing response, the show is fluid enough to evolve in wonderful ways over time, ensuring returning guests a fresh viewing opportunity late in the season,” artistic director David Ivers said.
Tickets are now on sale for the festival’s 53rd season, which runs through Oct. 18. The eight-play season includes Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” “The Comedy of Errors,” “Henry IV Part One,” and “Twelfth Night,” Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” Steven Dietz’s adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure,” and “Boeing-Boeing” by Marc Camoletti. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bard.org or call 1-800-PLAYTIX.
