Spring Break
Belly laughs, tense social satire combine in URI Theater's production of 'The Foreigner"
Jenna Wright
Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: Entertainment
03/04/09 - "Re-marrr-kable" is the word that most closely describes the performance of URI's talented cast in their portrayal of Larry Shue's 1980s comedy, "The Foreigner." This play embodies humor similar to that used in "The Beverly Hillbillies," where the aim isn't necessarily plot-heavy, but is predominantly driven by its characters that keep the audience entertained.
As "The Foreigner" opens we are introduced to Englishman Froggy LeSuere (Benjamin Gracia), and his friend Charlie Baker (Johnny Sederquist) whose terminal shyness provokes the two to hatch a plan for Charlie to avoid all conversation.
The plan is for Charlie to divest all his energy into remaining incognito, pretending that he's foreign and speaks no English, while staying at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia. This sparks the hilarity and foreshadows the uproarious climax where the "good guys" overtake the "bad guys."
During Charlie's stay he overhears a slew of conversations that reveal hidden scandals. And though things are tense at first, eventually, other characters are enlightened by being in the midst of Charlie's handicap. Fellow lodger Catherine (Jennifer Michaels) felt free to disclose her secret pregnancy to Charlie and found his foreign nature endearing.
The dynamic force behind "The Foreigner" is heightened by the character of Ellard (Michael Puppi) whose dimwitted personality is comparable to that of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men." Ellard's goofy yet lovable mentality is illustrated through spurts of childish excitement and hilarious facial expressions as he "teaches" Charlie English.
His demeanor becomes particularly pronounced during Ellard's first English lesson with Charlie at breakfast, when the two first meet. The playful mimic between Charlie and Ellard results in a misinterpretation by the lodge's caretaker, Betty (Betsy Rinaldi), who consistently talks at high volumes to cross the language barrier, causing her to think that the glass on top of Charlie's head is some exotic custom.
As "The Foreigner" opens we are introduced to Englishman Froggy LeSuere (Benjamin Gracia), and his friend Charlie Baker (Johnny Sederquist) whose terminal shyness provokes the two to hatch a plan for Charlie to avoid all conversation.
The plan is for Charlie to divest all his energy into remaining incognito, pretending that he's foreign and speaks no English, while staying at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia. This sparks the hilarity and foreshadows the uproarious climax where the "good guys" overtake the "bad guys."
During Charlie's stay he overhears a slew of conversations that reveal hidden scandals. And though things are tense at first, eventually, other characters are enlightened by being in the midst of Charlie's handicap. Fellow lodger Catherine (Jennifer Michaels) felt free to disclose her secret pregnancy to Charlie and found his foreign nature endearing.
The dynamic force behind "The Foreigner" is heightened by the character of Ellard (Michael Puppi) whose dimwitted personality is comparable to that of Lenny in "Of Mice and Men." Ellard's goofy yet lovable mentality is illustrated through spurts of childish excitement and hilarious facial expressions as he "teaches" Charlie English.
His demeanor becomes particularly pronounced during Ellard's first English lesson with Charlie at breakfast, when the two first meet. The playful mimic between Charlie and Ellard results in a misinterpretation by the lodge's caretaker, Betty (Betsy Rinaldi), who consistently talks at high volumes to cross the language barrier, causing her to think that the glass on top of Charlie's head is some exotic custom.
