Cessy Newmon
It’s Betty Meek’s Fishing Lodge Resort in Rural Georgia. The racist local building inspector, Owen Musser (Alan Morton), has cited the lodge for the brickwork needing replacement, and if Betty (Kelley Norman) can’t afford to fix it, she’ll have to sell cheap. It’s a familiar setting for local theatergoers with a familiar and lovable (although a bit over-the-top) cast of stereotypical characters that forge relationships in a farcical situation that is closer to real life than it may appear at first glance.
One of her regular visitors is Englishman Staff Sergeant Froggy LeSueur (C. Michael Porter) who on this particular trip is accompanied by his friend, Charlie Baker (Taylor Jackson). Naturally shy and claiming to have no personality worth meeting people, Charlie is also depressed because his beloved wife may be dying. He tells Froggy that he doesn’t want to have to talk to anyone.
Opportunity arises to help set up Charlie to not have to deal with people. Froggy tells Betty that Charlie is the native of an exotic country who does not understand a word of English. Betty, who has never traveled, is delighted to cater to the stranger. although at first Charlie protests the fabrication.
Before long, Charlie finds himself privy to assorted secrets and scandals freely discussed in front of him by the other visitors. These include spoiled Catherine Simms (Lily Zawatsky) and the man to whom she is somewhat reluctantly engaged, the Reverend David Marshall Lee (Daniel Locke), a seemingly good-natured preacher with a dark side. Then there is Catherine’s younger brother, Ellard Simms (Joey Balliro), who is a simpleton who “teaches” Charlie how to speak English.
THE FOREIGNER is a complex farce written to slowly build throughout the show. The key role to this is that of Charlie, who starts off almost speechless for the first half of the show, except for a few scenes with his friend Froggy. Mr. Taylor’s handling of the role with its mix of expressive and physical comedy was brilliant and kept the audience hooked throughout the show. Key to building the farce, especially in the second act, is the role of Ellard. Mr. Balliro is consistent and believable throughout, providing a stable springboard for many of Mr. Taylor’s antics.
Mr. Porter and Ms. Norman have roles that are at times comedic, at times straight, but always fun and loveable. Ms. Zawatsky’s role is very over-the-top, dumb heiress, and you don’t know whether you’d rather love her or smack some sense into her.
America is marked by a dark history of discrimination that still rears its head almost 40 years later. Rev. David and Owen’s secret, alluded to throughout the production, is that they are members of the Ku Klux Klan and are scheming to take Betty’s lodge from her to establish a headquarters and their new, white Christian world order. Mr.’s Locke and Morton sell these identities admirably.
The set by Ben Girvin is one of the more elaborate ones I’ve seen for recent shows at Theatre Jacksonville. It is beautifully done with a warm, homey feel. The staging by director Bob Gerard is down to earth at times and over-the-top with well-done comedic timing for impact. Overall, the show is a lot of fun with a quite a political commentary.
1980’s farce THE FOREIGNER is one of actor/writer Larry Shue’s few works. Just as THE FOREIGNER was gaining popularity, Shue was getting ready for his first big Broadway role in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD. He was tragically killed in an airplane crash before DROOD opened.
THE FOREIGNER is at Theatre Jacksonville, 2032 San Marco Boulevard, Nov 8 – 24, 2024. For reservations, go to theatrejax.com or call (904) 396-4425.
By Cessy Newmon
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