Belly laughs, tense social satire combine in URI Theater's production of 'The Foreigner

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.

Betty's fascination with Charlie's foreignness is accentuated by her energetic naivety; she just wants the best for everyone involved.

Before long, Charlie's stealthy act as a "foreigner" earns him camaraderie and he gains the courage to interact confidently with the others. At the same time, he also becomes increasingly skilled at keeping everyone in the dark. In his wild retelling of a story from the homeland, Charlie manages to elude an unmasking of his hidden identity in the presence of a less-than-swayed Reverend David (Nile Hawver) and his redneck friend Owen (Cory Crew Jr.).

Sederquist animates Charlie's story through broken English, elastic-like facial expressions, and menacing shrieks, comparable to those of Jim Carey.

Meanwhile the hidden agendas Rev. David and Own begin to unfold and, ominously, the Ku Klux Klansmen begin to close in, toward the conclusion in a plot twist that leaves the characters with an ultimate epiphany.

URI's "The Foreigner" is directed by Alan Hawkridge, whose previous direction of "Amadeus," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Blithe Spirit," heralded well-received praise.

If you're a fan of comedy, or if you're down for a good belly chuckle, stop by the fisherman's lodge and mingle with a truly memorable cast of characters.