A 'Foreigner' Finds A New Home

By Dana Casadei

For some, going to a place completely new would be exciting. They could check out the local attractions, absorb the culture, and mingle with different people. For "The Foreigner"'s Charlie Baker (Adrian Diffey), being around new people in a new place isn't a thrilling thought; it's a panic-inducing one.
Some might also think that a theater known for its staging of musicals might also be a bit panic stricken not knowing how its patrons might react to its rather unusual dip into the comedy pool for its latest endeavor. But fear not, musical theater and comedy lovers: The Encore Musical Theatre Company's production of "The Foreigner" is a fine night of entertainment indeed!
As the production begins, Charlie and his dear friend, Sgt. Froggy LeSueur (Fran Potasnik), have just arrived at Betty Meek's (Lori Pelham) Fishing Lodge Resort in Tilghman County, Georgia. Coming all the way from London, where Charlie's wife is in the hospital, Froggy thought it would be a grand idea to get him away for a couple days. Charlie isn't exactly keen on being stuck in Georgia for three days since he is a shy man who isn't the best at conversation. But then Froggy comes up with a plan so Charlie won't have to talk to anyone at the lodge: She tells her friend Betty that Charlie is a foreigner who doesn't speak English and should be left alone. At first Charlie doesn't think he can go along with it, but after hearing a rather intimate conversation between Rev. David Marshall Lee (Jess Alexander) and his fiancee Catherine Simms (Kathryn Mahard), he decides to play along with the ruse.
While some guests find the "foreigner" to be a delight, others are slightly more suspicious. But their feelings towards Charlie don't stop anyone from having conversations in front of him, which is where Charlie discovers that some members of the lodge are up to no good. What follows is a bit of ridiculous mayhem, new friendships and the gang trying to save Betty's Inn from a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.
During the show, Pelham's Betty remarks that Charlie is remarkable, and he is. Charlie transforms from an introverted science fiction proofreader to a man with confidence that's willing to take on the Invisible Empire. Diffey does this transformation with ease, changing little things that make a world of difference, such as Charlie's once stiff movements, which become more relaxed as the show goes on.
Of the supporting cast, Styles' Ellard is sweet and kind, and played with slightly exaggerated expressions and movements. Catherine is the most sarcastic character of the bunch, and Mahard delivers each witty comment with a deadpan that makes for huge laughs.
Larry Shue's script can at times be rather ridiculous – this IS a farce, after all – but it's still exceptionally funny. The show even has hints of drama in Act II, and moments that are rather sweet throughout.
Paul Hopper's direction plays up the comedy inherent in Shue's script. Moments such as Charlie's panic-attack in Act I or when Charlie tells the group a story spoken mostly in gibberish during Act II are played as over-the-top as one would expect in a farce.
Hopper also doesn't play down the shows more heart-warming moments, like Charlie's blossoming friendships with Ellard and Catherine.
Set designer Daniel C. Walker created a fishing lodge that looks well worn. The furniture isn't brand new, nor should it be, and the dark wood on the stairs looks like they've seen better days. But it's those details, and the various fishing items on the walls that make the set feel like a lodge that has been around for years.
Sharon Urick's costumes match each characters distinct personality. Since Charlie isn't a flashy man, for example, having him dressed in a lot of browns and neutral colors captures his disposition perfectly. It would feel out of character to see him in say bright reds or complex patterns. Then there's Ellard, who is comparable to a young Forest Gump. He wears overalls the whole time, with only the shirt under them changing. Again, his clothes show the kind of man he is before Styles ever utters a word.
"The Foreigner" has been revived numerous times since its premiere in 1983, from high schools to professional theaters. With the right cast and director, it's a show that can soar, and The Encore's production soars well above the clouds.
REVIEW:
'The Foreigner'
The Encore Musical Theatre Company, The Encore Musical Theatre, 3126 Broad St., Dexter. Thursday-Sunday through May 4; no performance April 20. 2 hours, 20 minutes. $22-32. 734-268-6200. http://www.theencoretheatre.org