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| The Foreigner (2004-2005) |
| Dustin Smith Jack Harmon **Hammy Award Winner - Best Lead Actor** Sandra Coons Curtis Mock Sharon Scholl Aaron Scholl Michael K. Best **Hammy Award Winner - Best Supporting Actor** |
| Cast |
| Production Crew |
| Director Asst. Director Publicity Director Set Director Set Construction Costume Director Tech Backstage |
| Aaron Scholl Carrie Scholl Bonnie Locchetta Dan Scholl Jack Harmon Dustin Smith Sharon Scholl Carrie Scholl Sharon Scholl Scott Medd Mark Love Ethan Earnest |
| Rush County Players presents "The Foreigner" this weekend Staff Report This weekend Rush County Players takes us on a trip to rural (very rural) Tilghman County, Ga. Seven actors and actresses take to the stage tonight to bring you this hilarious comedy, "The Foreigner" and the stage is loaded with talent and experience! As the show opens, we see two English gents enter this quaint little fishing lodge in the woods. Staff Sgt. "Froggy" LeSueur, played by Dusty Smith, is a munitions expert with the British Army. Every year, he comes to Georgia for three days, to a nearby Army base, to help train in munitions. Every time he does, he always stops by the Meeks’ Fishing Lodge and has developed some good friendships there over the years. This trip, he has decided to bring along his good friend, Charlie Baker, played by Jack Harmon. Charlie has some personal issues and Froggy brings him along this trip to let him get away from it all for a few days. As we first see him, Charlie is a very shy, almost introverted, individual. When he discovers that Froggy will be leaving him there by himself for a few days, he panics, due to his fear of speaking to strangers, and fear of conversations in general. Froggy devises a plan to "help" and tells the Widow Betty Meeks (Sandra Coons) that Charlie speaks no English. Froggy then leaves for the Army base, leaving a nervous Charlie in the hands of sweet, little, naďve Betty. It is a common trait that many people who encounter those who do not speak our language, feel that shouting helps them to understand the language better! Betty, bless her heart, uses this trait, and shouts incessantly at Charlie, trying to communicate. As word gets out that "the foreigner" cannot understand English, everyone, of course, speaks very freely around him, without fear. Much to his dismay, Charlie is privy to much more than he really ever wanted to hear, and the show is off and running down a wild path! As Charlie describes it to Froggy, "The old woman does nothing but shout at me. The others treat me as if I were a potted palm…" You will see each character unfold quickly before your eyes, as each talks freely in front of Charlie. Catherine Simms, a well-to-do pure southern lady played by Sharon Scholl, is in desperate need to tell someone her little secret, and befriends Charlie who becomes her safety net and outlet. Sharon is very believable in her role and she portrays a wide range of emotions expertly over the course of the show. The two become very close, although she believes, to the very end of the show, that Charlie cannot understand the language. Catherine’s fiancé, Rev. David Lee, played by Curt Mock, is busy playing both sides of the fence. He is the noble and reverent minister, while secretly plotting to take over Betty’s lodge to be used for another venture. Although the characters cannot see it, Curt does a great job in quickly divulging to the audience his true colors. David’s partner-in-crime is Owen Musser, played by actor/director Aaron Scholl. He is a good-ole-boy who is not two-faced at all. He is on a mission, and, in his rough, woodsy way, tromps his way through the show, not particularly caring whose feelings get hurt in the process. He has a good time picking on "the foreigner," but comes to regret it by the end of the show. Rounding out the cast is Catherine’s poor, pathetic, little brother Ellard, played by Michael Best. Ellard is not "the sharpest pin in the cushion," but is a delightful and warm character that you will enjoy. You will be amazed at the transformation you will see. Ellard "teaches" English to Charlie, and, in so doing, grows himself by leaps and bounds. Michael does a great job in making this transformation believable. Listen carefully, however! As is typical with author Larry Shue, many subtle things you hear in Act I will be played out in Act II. This show is hilarious. Charlie, backed into a corner, is forced to make up stories of a fictitious past and even makes up his own language as he goes along. He, like Ellard, also transforms into a personality he has always wanted to be, and you can see the result for yourself! Words, characterization and actions are only part of a show, of course. Set designer Dan Scholl and his crew have expertly transformed the Laughlin stage into a quaint little lodge. The set looks and feels comfortable and you’ll feel as though we are tucked away far off the road in Georgia somewhere; a credit to Dan! Backstage is handled by Carrie Scholl, who also has co-directed (sic.) this show with her brother Aaron. Lights, sound and sound effects are well-done by Mark Love and Scott Medd, who know how to set the mood for the stage with lighting. From every single aspect, this show is top-drawer and is a must see! "The Foreigner" will be performed this weekend only. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $4 for students through 12th grade; adults are $6 in advance and $7 day of show. RCP has done a great job in providing our community with quality entertainment for nearly 30 years and we need to rally behind and support this group. It costs a great deal of money to stage a show, and these performers have worked hard and deserve your support. Tickets can be reserved by calling (765) 938-1711 or may be purchased at the door. |
| S/Sgt. Froggy LeSueur Charlie Baker Betty Meeks Rev. David Marshall Lee Catherine Simms Owen Musser Ellard Simms |
| Rushville Republican Newspaper Review (March 11, 2005) |