Charlie Baker is dropped off at a fishing and hunting lodge in the backwoods of 1984 Georgia. He’s depressed because his adulterous wife, who he loves, may be dying. An introvert, Charlie doesn’t want to be there and certainly doesn’t want to engage.
So S/Sgt Froggy LeSueur, a fellow Englishman, who’s brought him there tells the owner of the lodge that Charlie is a foreigner and doesn’t speak or understand English. Froggy is off to do demolitions training and Charlie has to fend for himself.
Despite being so shy and thinking of himself as dull, Charlie begins to blossom as he becomes privy to secrets and plans that include converting the lodge into a Ku Klux Klan center.
It’s the two-act The Foreigner (1983) by the late Larry Shue and actor/director Kevin Crouch (The Texas Carol) is directing it for A.D. Players. It has lasted as long as it has, Crouch says, because of Shue’s brilliance.
“It’s not a bunch of one liners strung together, There is depth in his humor. There’s humanity in the play. There’s a genuine interest in the play about what it means to be human, what it means to be seen. What it means to belong. By having the characters ask those questions audiences can see and feel themselves.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s also ridiculous and absurd and silly. We love that about that. But it also has this core truth in it that’s hard to deny.”
The cast includes Kevin Dean, David Gow, John Johnston, Susan Koozin, Alyssa Marek, Jeff McMorrough and Gabriel Mullen. The Production creative team includes Hannah E. Smith (stage manager), Samantha Dante Patterson (costume designer), David Gipson (lighting designer), Charly Topper (properties designer), Steven C. Kemp (scenic designer) and Michael Mullins (sound designer).
People either share their secrets with Charlie or they disregard him and speak freely when he’s in the room. “He doesn’t want to embarrass them by telling them that he understood them. One thing leads to another and suddenly he knows the ins and outs of everyone in this lodge.”
Playwright Shue died in an airplane accident in 1985 when he was only 39. He is also known for his play The Nerd. “He was on the rise. He was about to make his Broadway debut in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” He was writing the screenplay for The Foeigner. He was on his way up. He definitely was going to be one of our great comic writers.”
Couch is an associate professor at Sam Houston State. When A.D. Players’ Executive Artistic Director Jayme McGhan asked him if he’d like to direct The Foreigner this season, he was happy to say yes.
“I love comedy and Larry Shue is about as classic American comedy as it gets. It was not to be passed up.”
Performances are scheduled for January 31 through February 23 at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at th A.D. Players’ The George Theater, 5420 Westheimer. For more information, call 713-526-2721 or visit adplayers.org. $25-$75.
