2008 Year in Review

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TLP's The Foreigner, fun for even a Native

Charlie, a British geek, who’s unfaithful wife is dying in a hospital is brought to Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge, in Georgia, by his friend Froggy, a British officer, for a respite. The shy, nervous, and boring Charlie really doesn’t feel comfortable conversing with anyone so conniving Froggy decides it would be better if Charlie pretends to be a foreigner who doesn’t understand any English.

The rest of the Lodge’s residence decide it’s safe to have secret conversations in front of him and he learns things that shock and surprise him. While the conversations are going on Charlie, played by Jeremy Day, plays a character similar to Andy Kaufman’s foreign man or more recently Mr. Bean. His facial expressions and eye movement had the audience laughing out loud.

The scene between Charlie and the simple Ellard Simms at breakfast is one of the funniest I’ve seen. The youngest actor, Zachary Gray, plays a believable Ellard, the slow but loving younger brother of another resident Catherine Simms, played by Jenny Guse. Catherine is blond, beautiful, sarcastic, and a rich heiress to their father’s fortune. She confesses all her secrets to the stranger Charlie because “he’s a good listener”. Catherine is engaged to the mysterious Rev. David Marshall Lee. The Reverend is an enigma who begins to evolve throughout the play.

The last two characters are Mrs. Betty Meeks, played by Kitty Karn and the Georgia redneck Owen Musser, played by Nathan Grant. Mrs. Meeks is the bubbly, simple, and naive hostess of the Lodge. She’s never met a foreigner and his unique ways and her connection just make her giddy with enthusiasm. Owen is a longhair, “git ‘er done”, Larry the Cable Guy character. He’s the county property inspector and wants to condemn Mrs. Meeks Lodge.

This comedy, directed by Chicago director, Chuck Smith, is very well done. Laughter was abundant throughout the audience all night. Jeremy Day was hilarious! All the character’s evolve throughout the play for a great story line too. Don’t miss Timber Lake Playhouse’s The Foreigner running now through July 26th.

by Barb Benson, Guest Columnist
July 18, 2008