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The Foreigner
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Rooney and Ensemble
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By Melinda Schupmann
In their third production of the 1999-2000 season, Actors Co-op has a winner with The Foreigner by Larry Shue. Always a popular play with audiences, director Henry Polic II orchestrates his fine ensemble for maximum laughs.
Charlie Baker (Ted Rooney), a shy and nervous fellow, self-described as shatteringly, profoundly boring, whose wife has deserted him for more exciting adventures, is visiting a hunting lodge in Georgia at the urging of his friend, Froggy (Robert Pike Daniel). When he finds that he will be expected to be sociable there, he panics, and Froggy gets the brilliant idea of telling the inhabitants that Charlie doesn't speak any English. Betty Meeks (Brenda Ballard), the proprieter, is enthralled, and a comic set of circumstances force Charlie to go along with the deception. Complicating things are a sinister minister, Rev. David Lee (Marc Elmer), his fiance Catherine Simms (Suzanne Friedline), her dim brother Ellard (Stephen Van Dorn), and a volatile neighbor, Owen Musser (John Allsopp.)
Ballard is a standout as the adorably cuddly lodge owner. Never missing a beat, she has the audience in the palm of her hand throughout. Rooney, too, is hilarious as the "foreigner" who begins to emerge from his shell as he begins to outwit the bad guys of the story. Friedline creates a wonderfully neurotic sophisticate stuck in the woods, and Van Dorn and Allsopp are delightfully quirky as supporting characters. Henry Polic II (standing in for Daniel) was a crowd-pleaser.
Fine direction, set design by Burris Jackes, and lights by Jeannie Burns Hardie all contribute to a very funny play that highlights Actors Co-op's commitment to high quality productions.
Actors Co-op, Crossley Terrace Theatre, 1760 N. Gower, Hollywood. (323) 462-8460. Thurs-Sat. at 8, Sun. at 2:30. $13-17. Closes May 21.
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