Kristin Heitmeier Makes Barn Debut as Fetchin’ Gretchen in Boeing Boeing

Kristin Heitmeier as Gretchen, the German flight attendant

It’s the Sixties, and swinging bachelor Bernard couldn’t be happier: a flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him without knowing about each other … Until a faster Boeing jet plane throws off his careful planning, and all three women arrive in town simultaneously!  Such is the plot of Boeing Boeing, a fun-filled farce coming soon to the Farmington Players Barn Theater.

One of the three fiancées is Gretchen, a German air hostess for Lufthansa, played by Kristin Heitmeier.  Kristin’s German heritage appears to make her a perfect fit for the part, but she points out that despite her married name of Heitmeier and maiden name of Gritzmacher, she’s “only 25 percent German…and actually 50 percent Scottish.”  Kristen describes Gretchen as “very passionate, intelligent, strong-willed and she resorts to brusqueness when challenged. She’s dramatic, but actually a romantic, honest person at heart with a strong moral compass.  Gretchen’s bark is definitely worse than her bite…at her core, she just wants love!”  Kristin thinks that everyone can relate to these overarching themes of honesty and love because “we all want honesty, trust and loyalty from our loved ones … with lots of laughs and romance mixed in.  I think people always enjoy watching a show that’s intentionally humorous and where one can watch foibles and fumbles from afar. That’s timeless … as is love: falling in, falling out.”

Boeing Boeing is Kristin’s Farmington Players debut and she auditioned because “the pacing and comedic plot reminded me of one of my favorite shows and roles: Rosalind in Moon Over Buffalo. It’s a clever, fast-paced farce that will make people laugh aloud.”  While she’s a newcomer to the Barn, Kristin is no stranger to the stage and loves acting, directing and theatre in general.   She resides in Northville and also enjoys writing and “travel, especially to any beach, New York or Italy.”  She holds a dual degree in Business and Communications with a minor in Industrial Psychology and works as a communications writer, editor and project manager in the health insurance industry.

Just like it takes a whole flight crew to fly a plane, Kristin knows that Boeing Boeing will take off at the Barn due to the cohesive cast and crew:  “Our Boeing cast and crew is a true ensemble and if you only knew how happy I am to be a part of it and to make my debut at the Barn! Just like our pilots, our fearless directing team wrangles a holistic map to get us to our destination. And our cast has such defined and individualistic characters that it’s a joy to watch them take flight.  Combined, it makes Boeing Boeing a delightful romp for all involved.”

Boeing Boeing opens at the Farmington Players Barn Theater on September 25 and runs through October 10.  The show is proudly sponsored by Cadillac Travel.  Thanks to Cadillac, 50/50 raffle winners will also receive a special prize – a carry-on bag valued at $99 – and become eligible for the grand prize drawing – a $500 travel voucher – on closing night!  Tickets are available online at farmingtonplayers.org or by emailing boxoffice@farmingtonplayers.org or calling the Barn box office at 248-553-2955.