Gary Weinstein Plays It Straight In Crazy Comedy Boeing Boeing

Gary Weinstein (Robert) is looking for love in all the wrong places

Anyone who has ever seen Gary Weinstein perform on the Barn stage knows that he is a real “character.”   Whether he is playing a masochistic dental patient in Little Shop of Horrors, the deranged Renfield in Dracula, or the creepy Doctor Einstein in Arsenic & Old Lace, Gary’s roles are larger than life and he always steals the show.  By contrast, in Boeing Boeing, Gary plays mild-mannered Robert Lambert, a Wisconsinite looking for love while visiting his old school friend Bernard in Paris.

For Gary, “the most challenging thing about the role is playing it 'not as a character'.  This is the first role I've had where I play it pretty straight. My mantra is 'how would Gary play it.'”  Even though the role may be straight, the romantically charged show ventures far from the straight-and-narrow and the pace is as fast as the new Boeing jet airliners.   Gary says, “I really wanted this part because I've never had the opportunity to be in a fast-paced comedy like this, and I consider it a real challenge to keep up the energy. I think people will enjoy the show because the theme of love is ancient and here nothing gets lost in translation.”

I asked Gary his favorite part of playing Robert.  His reply: “Being overly animated when things start to unravel.  And of course, getting to kiss the pretty girls!”    Given the manic pace, was Gary concerned about whether his fellow actors and directors could really pull off what's demanded of them?   Not a chance!  Gary exclaimed that, “In this show I am delighted with my fellow actor and actresses and what they're able to bring to this performance. Their power and energy is something that I've never had the privilege before of performing next to, and the vision and the timing that our directors are demanding of us will make the show a real joy to witness.”

Gary is an avid golfer, having played in all 50 states (twice) and in 35 countries in the past seven years with a goal of reaching 100 countries in 20 years. Since losing his wife and two children into 2005, he has collaborated with two local directors in creating documentaries entitled: Project Forgive and Transforming Loss. Gary says, “Although I will always wrestle with the grief of losing my family, I live a blessed life. My mission is to inspire people to create a powerful future built on the foundation of forgiveness.”

Boeing Boeing has three final performances:  October 8, 9 and 10.  The show is proudly sponsored by Cadillac Travel, including special prizes for 50/50 raffle winners and a chance to win a $500 travel voucher on closing night.   Tickets are still available at www.farmingtonplayers.org or by calling the Farmington Players box office at 248-553-2955.  Find us on Facebook under "Farmington Players Barn Theater".