Theater Review: The Foreigner

by Clyde Berry of of John Garcia's The Column

The Foreigner is a delightful little theater comedy, and a good choice by Richardson Theatre Center. Even better to help out the Labyrinth Theatre folks (who just lost their space), by merging companies, and just in time to move into their new RTC digs right across the parking lot. A new space in this economy is no easy feat to pull off, Bravo! Bravo again for not letting another theater close down, but welcoming the artists into their company. If only all theatre groups worked so well together, perhaps we all would weather the economy until patrons are more inclined to include entertainment in their budget. For the thrifty, the RTC does have a partnership with a local restaurant for dinner and the show for a very good price. Check out their website for more information.

The Foreigner is a goofy situation comedy. Two British gents, Charlie and Froggy, arrive in Georgia (as in Deep South) at a fishing lodge resort run by Froggy's friend, Betty Meeks. Betty who is enamored of all things foreign, takes a keen interest in Froggy's travels and his mysterious companion that Froggy explains is also foreign. In truth, Charlie is extremely shy and does not want to interact with anyone at all. Having just found out his wife is cheating on him, he simply wants to be left alone. Froggy "helps" Charlie by leaving him at the resort, in the care of Betty, who believes that Charlie simply cannot speak any English, and is to be left alone. Of course, Betty just can't leave Charlie alone, and decides to make him her new best friend.

Also in residence at the resort are Catherine Simms and her brother Ellard. Catherine is the responsible sibling to Ellard, who is a bit of a special and unique person. Catherine is also engaged to David Lee, a local evangelist. Rounding out the cast of characters is Owen Musser, general no-gooder and bully.

As the story progresses, Charlie of course overhears many things he shouldn't as people don't feel the need to censor their conversations in front of him. Between pregnancies, plotting, and the KKK, poor Charlie has a world of secrets and no one to tell them to. Even worse, he can't blow his cover by revealing what he knows. The further the story progresses, the more hilarious surprises come along, to a thoroughly satisfying conclusion. Even if one figures out the ending, it's still a fun ride.

Charles Alexander plays the British demolitions expert Froggy LeSueur. He is energetic in his physicality, enthusiastic, and very engaging. While his accent may waver a bit, he is fun to watch and delivers a fine performance.

Ted Strahan plays the put upon Charlie Baker. Strahan is well cast and manages to hold the show together. He has a great sense of shtick and can ride a laugh without mugging. In a show where it would be very easy to get the giggles, he stays in character pulling off a gibberish language, foreign pantomime, and allows Charlie to grow throughout the piece.

The overbearing but well meaning Betty Meeks was portrayed by Elaine Erback. Erback does well playing the slightly vacant Betty, but needs to pick up her pace. Even throwaway lines are given great time and weight, when she'd get more mileage moving on. Sassy and full of heart, her Betty is a little naïve, but a good friend to have.

Kevin Ash played the slimy David Lee, the evangelist of dubious intentions. While Ash does well being slimy, and is good at scheming, there isn't very much of the minister to his character, a shame since some of his lines are very ready for sermonizing. His character also has very little chemistry with his fiancé Catherine Simms, played by Morgan Spollin. The two seem to speak at each other, but never really to each other. They are not bad at all, but the dynamic between the two never really changes through the performance, a missed opportunity to balance out the comedy with the drama.

The awkwardly written and almost thankless role of Owen Musser was played by Charles E. Moore. Owen is the most stereotypical character of the group, a rather flat hick of sorts with politically incorrect beliefs and actions. Moore has lots of fun with this role and is effective at both menace and the sudden turn into comic fear.

While not the appropriate age to play Ellard, who is described as a backward youth, Greg Pugh does an excellent job of bringing the awkward Ellard to life. He is neither a caricature of the mentally disabled, nor is he one note. Pugh is animated, thoughtful, and interesting. Though he may not be the appropriate age for Ellard, his performance is thoroughly entertaining, and one doesn't care.

Overall the show is very solid and funny, an enjoyable evening out. Still, the show could take things up a notch and really be a hit. First the entire pace of the show was too slow. What was there was delightful, but took forever to get through, sacrificing any buildup of hilarity for instead single bit jokes spaced evenly throughout. Seventy-three pages of script should not make a first act of an hour and fifteen minutes, nor a second act of an hour. One wouldn't notice how much time were passing if cues were picked up and folks moved things along instead of reacting and contemplating after every sentence.

Rachael Lindley perhaps had a bit much on her plate when helming this production as Director, Artistic Director, Set Designer, Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, and Props Mistress. Having to split focus amongst so many duties could result in the little things being off here and there, even sharing the duties of a crew or two. The set design is great, homey, and decorated for a stuck-in-time effect. But why use the same picture of Jimmy Carter over and over? What about the obviously used newspapers that give away their future crumbling, or the non-period magazines that are supposed to be period? Costumes were appropriate, and the lights were sufficient. It makes one wonder what Lindley could have done to solve the pacing issues, and work on the dramatic side of the piece instead of only the comedic aspect, had she more volunteers than the cast to really crew the show. She makes solid choices, but given more time to focus on just directing, it would be interesting to see how much more she could glean from both the script and her cast. They are a talented group that is capable of more.

The Foreigner runs through April 19. Call 972-699-1130 for reservations.

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