Trio set for Broadway's 'Boeing'

Whitford, Baranski, Rylance to star in transfer

By GORDON COX

Thesp Mark Rylance will reprise his role in 'Boeing-Boeing' when show transfers to Longacre Theater in May.

Bradley Whitford, Christine Baranski and Brit thesp Mark Rylance will topline the Broadway transfer of London hit "Boeing-Boeing," now confirmed to open at the Longacre Theater in May.

"Boeing-Boeing" will be the first full production on the Rialto for Tony-winner Baranski ("The Real Thing," "Rumors") since the short-lived "Nick and Nora" in 1991, and the first for Whitford ("The West Wing") since "A Few Good Men" in 1989.

Rylance, the former a.d. of Shakespeare's Globe who is reprising the role he played in London, will make his Rialto debut in the show.

Plot of "Boeing-Boeing" centers on an architect (Whitford) who, with the help of his housekeeper (Baranski), maintains romances with three flight attendants on different travel schedules. Rylance plays the architect's visiting friend; casting of the stewardesses is still in the works.

Helmed by Matthew Warchus ("Art"), the revival won raves in the London press when it opened on the West End in February 2007. Show closed there last month.

Original 1962 production of Marc Camoletti's comedy ran in London for seven years, although a 1965 Rialto incarnation closed after just 23 perfs.

Broadway revival is produced by London team Sonia Friedman Prods./Bob Boyett, Act Prods./Matthew Byam Shaw and Robert G. Bartner, all joined Stateside by the Weinstein Company.

"Boeing-Boeing" begins previews at the Longacre April 19 for a May 4 opening.