Theater D presents "The Foreigner"

Theater D returns for 2012 with a terrific new production of the iconic romantic comedy, “The Foreigner.” Authored by the late Larry Shue, “The Foreigner” has been described as “a modern comic farce complete with mistaken identities, surprising plot twists, evil villains, and innocent damsels.” This inspired and thoroughly enjoyable romp, directed by Debra Goldman, will run for two weekends at the Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm Street in Deerfield, beginning on March 9th.

Based on a “devilishly clever idea,” according to the New York Times, “The Foreigner” is set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by “Froggy” LeSeuer (Geoff Isaac), a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base. This time “Froggy” has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy man named Charlie (Rob Reinalda) who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So “Froggy” comes up with a clever plan: he tells their host, kindly innkeeper Betty Meeks (Sandy Greenberg) that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English, in the hope that she, and others, will simply leave him alone. Of course, they don’t.

Instead, the plan hilariously backfires when Charlie becomes the perfect person with whom all share their deepest secrets and schemes. Charlie thus unwittingly finds himself the center of attention for a coterie of zany and eccentric characters, including Reverend David Lee (Jeff Segall), a seemingly down-home Southern preacher who may or may not be more than he appears, Catherine Sims (Wendy Brown), the very pregnant and potentially rich fiancée of Reverend Lee, Ellard Sims (Sammie Nieves Jr.), Catherine’s affable but slow-witted brother who works as a sort of handyman for Betty, and Owen Muser (Bruce Meadows), the shady, racist, mean-spirited County property inspector. That is when the fun really begins. It isn’t long before Charlie becomes entwined in a mysterious yet hilarious scheme. With villainy and skullduggery afoot, the story builds to a startling climax in which things go uproariously awry for the “bad guys.” In between its many laughs, the farcical tale also provides thought provoking observations on society, values and the importance of friendship and trust.

To follow up last year’s highly successful production of the riotous Squabbles, Theater D Producer Donna Price says “we wanted to return with another proven crowd pleaser, a play that makes us laugh uncontrollably, but also offers a heartwarming and relevant message. We think “The Foreigner” fits that bill perfectly.”  The Village Voice once called it “a constant invitation to laugh at the foolishness of life,” while a reviewer in the New Yorker wrote of the play, “I laughed start to finish at one comic surprise after another.”

Director Debra Goldman, returning for her seventh Theater D production, has had her cast in rehearsal since December. Goldman extols the virtues of the veteran group of incredibly talented actors, and confidently predicts: “this will be a fantastic production. Members of the audience will find themselves laughing hysterically at one moment and gasping in surprise the next. The play also has enough warmth and truth in it that it is not only funny, but often incredibly moving.” And, of course, Goldman seizes the opportunity to remind everyone to enjoy Theater D’s trademark dessert buffet featuring a towering chocolate fountain at intermission of every performance.

“The Foreigner” premiered in Milwaukee in 1983, where it enjoyed a sold-out run and was named by the American Theater Critics Association as one of the best regional theater plays. After moving to New York in 1984, “The Foreigner” remained a smash hit at the Astor Place Theater, winning two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. A 2004 revival by the Roundabout Theater Company in New York starred Tony Award winning performers Matthew Broderick and Frances Sternhagen.

Theater D’s production of “The Foreigner” will be presented on Fridays and Saturdays, March 9-10 and 16-17, at 8:00 p.m., with matinees on Sundays, March 11 and 18, at 3:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield. Tickets also are available for purchase on-line at http://theaterd.com/tickets.shtml. All seats are reserved and cost $20 each. The ticket price includes a dessert buffet at intermission – with a chocolate fountain.

For additional information visit the Theater D website (http://theaterd.com/home.shtml), or contact Theater D Producer, Donna Price at 847-650-6598, or by e-mail at donna@theaterd.com. 

Theater D is a division of Deerfield Family Theater, a program of the Deerfield Park District.