A Utah Theater Review By Jennifer Mustoe
I had never seen The Foreigner, a fun comedy with some deeper meaning in there, so I was excited to go see Spanish Fork’s Harvest Moon Hurrah Theater’s presentation of this play.
The first thing you see when you come in is a delightful set, designed by Cami Jensen (also one of the show’s producers along with her husband Ken Jensen) and constructed by Chris Cannon. There is detail in every inch, and because the show takes place in Spanish Fork High School’s Little Theater, packing such delight into a smaller space only adds to it. It didn’t look cramped, just detailed. And awesome.
To give you a small summary of the story: Charlie Baker is a quiet man with little confidence. We find out his dying wife has had 23 affairs. His friend Sgt. “Froggy” LeSueur brings Charlie to Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge in Georgia. Because Charlie is so shy, the two men cook up a plan that Charlie is a foreigner and can’t understand English, thus saving him from having to interact with any of the other guests.
The other people at the Lodge don’t let Charlie’s lack of understanding deter them, though. They envelop him in their naivete, their love, and their life.
Froggy, played by Eric Johnson, is perfect. I say this almost pridefully. How do I know he’s perfect? Well, I just finished a show where English accents had to be spot on, so I know a great Cockney when I hear it. And Johnson’s got it. But he has some pretty awesome acting chops, too. He had excellent movement onstage, great comic timing, and some facial expressions that enhanced his character.
Charlie, played by Greg Duffin, has an interesting role. At first, he is very shy and stiff and compared to the winning Froggy, Charlie looked bland. But that’s how he’s supposed to look! Duffin’s British accent isn’t as clear as Johnson’s and that may be the only critical statement I will make. But Duffin has taken the lovable character of Charlie and made him remarkable. (See? I was watching! Inside joke for all who are familiar with the show.) Because Charlie is privy to some pretty upsetting things – people are brutally honest when they think someone can’t understand them – Charlie decides to make up a personality for himself. As Charlie the Foreigner, he and Duffin shine all over the place. Duffin has such amazing facial expressions, jumps on the sofa, the table, dances up and down the set. Gosh, he gets a pretty good work out! I adored Duffin’s performance.
Betty Meeks is double cast and I’m not sure who I saw tonight. Either Arleen McGregor or Kathy Llewellyn. Whoever it was did a brilliant job. She shuffled all over the stage, had the cutest Southern accent, and was the grandma everyone wishes they had. She loves Charlie on sight and gloriously gives us the message that we can love and care for people no matter if we understand them or not.
Rev. David Marshall Lee, played by Jason Karp, is one of the villians. I loved this casting, because Jason is not only a really nice person, he is super handsome. It’s nice to see the bad guy be in every way not what you expect. Karp did a great job of playing the good guy when he was with his fiance, but the creep when he was with his cohort, Owen Musser, played by Karl Young. My hat is off to Mr. Young. Boy, did he play the part of the racist KKK member with fervor. Perfect accent, condescending tone of voice. I hated Musser, so Young played it just right.
Joni Newman plays Lee’s fiance Catherine Simms. Newman has another multi-layered character. She thinks she isn’t good enough for her fiance, when in truth, he doesn’t deserve her at all. In one scene, Newman goes back and forth from false happiness to deep despair, back and forth, back and forth. I hurt right along with her. She did an excellent job.
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Nate Warenski plays Catherine’s brother Ellard. Warenski is a true find for any director. He is so perfect, I wanted to clap after everything that young man said. His accent, his sense of fun, and his dawning belief in himself as a result of his friendship with Charlie is sweet and funny and endearing. Such a good actor!
Director Robinne Booth kept her actors moving all over and only in a few scenes did it seem a little static, but only very slightly and not for more than maybe 30 seconds. I will say, my only other concern for this production is the show is pretty long. Because this is billed as a family show, I’d caution parents about bringing any of their children under tween or teen age. However, I must say that I’ve heard of Ms. Booth’s accomplishments as a director but have never gone to anything she’s directed. I am heartily sorry I haven’t. She chose her actors well and kept them all so tight and so in character, the montage she created is brilliant.
The Foreigner is part of Spanish Fork’s autumn festival, and in my opinion, the best thing about that activity. There were far too few people in the audience on opening night and I hope that is rectified in the ensuing performances. It is a fun show and very worth seeing!
The Foreigner
Spanish Fork High School 99 N 300 West, Spanish Fork
September 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 30 7:00 PM
Adults $7, Children $5, Family $30 (at the door)
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