The Foreigner at Firebox Theatre Is Highly Entertaining

The truth is in the eyes -- the eyes don't lie ....

The song "Smiling Faces Sometimes," (recorded by both The Temptations and The Undisputed Truth in 1971) deals with issues far different than those touched on in Larry Shue's 1984 Off-Broadway comedy, The Foreigner, but that line is what comes to my mind whenever I think back on David Holt's portrayal of Charlie Baker in Firebox Theatre Company's preview performance on Thursday, March 14th, at the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Wake Forest. (see below).

* * * * *

There's no other way to say it -- director Aaron Alderman has assembled a super cast that delivers a briskly paced performance of a zany adventure that stretches over a two-day period (in 1980) at Betty Meeks' Fishing Lodge Resort in Tilghman County, Georgia.

The Foreigner stars Cora Hemphill as Catherine Simms and David Holt as Charlie Baker (photo by Camille Mahs)

The Play:

What would happen if everybody thought you couldn't understand a word that they said?

What would be the variety of reactions? And of consequences?

Meek and mild Charlie Baker desperately wants simply to blend in unnoticed this weekend. Staff Sgt. "Froggy" LeSueur has the answer: Pretend you are a foreigner who speaks no English.

Betty Meeks is excited to meet someone from outside Tilghman County -- especially a foreigner!

Catherine Simms is glad to have someone that she can talk to without actually sharing any secrets.

Ellard Simms might be a little "slow" and "dim," but he has a heart of gold and warmly welcomes Charlie.

The Rev. David Marshall Lee tries his best to ignore Charlie and move forward with his plans.

Owen Musser bullies and threatens Charlie.

Buckle your seatbelt! But be sure that you book this wild 135-minute ride (with a 10-minute intermission) for no later than Sunday, March 24th!

David Holt (left) and Ben Apple star as Charlie Baker and Owen Musser in The Foreigner (photo by Camille Mahs)

The Acting:

An overall observation: The entire cast does a remarkable job with the variety of accents required for their characters (which is amazing for a play that does not list a "Dialogue Coach" in the program).

David Holt hits the nail on the head with his performance of Charlie Baker ("the foreigner"). From the moment that he steps on stage, his eyes reveal the truth of his character's abject horror at the prospect of meeting and interacting with strangers; and as the plot unfolds, one need look no further to discern the state of affairs from Charlie's point of view (and to be prompted to empathize with him). That said, Holt's performance also makes expert use of everything else in his "actor's toolbox."

Thom Christensen is just as "right" for the character of "Froggy" LeSueur, a staff sergeant in the British army who "has a job to do." As Froggy formulates the idea of "hiding" Charlie in plain sight by declaring him a foreigner, we can practically see a lightbulb above his head and/or easily visualize the turning of his mental gears.

As Betty Meeks, Ruthie Martinez endears her character to the audience as she bustles around, taking care of her guests. The speak-loudly-and-slowly tactic comes instinctively as Ruthie endeavors to make sure that Charlie can understand her. Especially impressive: the ease with which Martinez establishes the character's innocent earnestness.

Matt Delaney's portrayal of the Rev. David Marshall Lee sports the "painted-on smile" (along with everything else) associated with this type of a preacher. (Let's all line up to purchase some snake oil.)

Fans of Ben Apple will be amazed at his true-to-life portrayal of Owen Musser. This is the only time that I have ever seen Apple step into the role of "the rat-bastard." The expressions, the postures, the body language, the beer(ish) belly -- they're all there. It was a joy to love-to-hate this character.

As we see Catherine Simms being affected by the plot developments, Cora Hemphill masterfully shows the subtle changes in her character, easily getting the audience on her side (after having begun the play as a very unsympathetic character).

Those of us who have had the pleasure of seeing Xenon Winslow in other recent plays will be impressed by this portrayal of Ellard Simms -- thorough but never over-the-top. Suffice it to say: Winslow is quite versatile (once again showing an ability to "become" a wide variety of characters).

The Tech:

Set design (by Cora Hemphill and Kristin Obman), lighting design (by Michael Burris), and sound design (by Tim Artz) are all on point. Brenda Holden ably wears the hats of both property designer and costume designer.

Ruthie Martinez stars as Betty Meeks in Firebox Theatre Company's production of The Foreigner (photo by Camille Mahs)

Nice Touches:

• Froggy's camouflage uniform and the correct British-style sergeant stripes.
• Froggy's authentic British-style salute.
• Owen's tattoos (and his swagger).
• The "monkey see, monkey do" sequence.
• The authentic looking articles and pictures in the newspaper.
• The technology and performances that establish the reality of the cellar (as well as how it works).
• The story Charlie tells.
• The single-bite apples.

The Foreigner stars Matt Delaney as the Rev. David Marshall Lee and Cora Hemphill as Catherine Simms (photo by Camille Mahs)

Memorable Lines:

• "23" (you'll see why)
• "One of the aborigines of Canada."
• "There probably ain't enough of her left to spread on toast."
• "Nobody says carrot instead of candle."
• "Hominy grits" (again: you'll see).
• "I'm trying to think who ain't dead."

David Holt (left) and Thom Christensen star as Charlie Baker and "Froggy" LeSueur in The Foreigner (photo by Camille Mahs)

From the Department of Picky-Picky:

Charlie's suitcase immediately struck me as way too small. And the number of changes of clothes that it supposedly contains reinforced that impression. Also: it didn't seem to weigh very much.

Wouldn't a 1980 newspaper be printed on the older, wider newsprint paper? (That said, I am prepared to accept that "vintage" newspapers are probably hard to come by.)

I somehow had the impression that there was a fire in the wood stove, and was taken back a bit when papers and pillows landed on it.

Xenon Winslow stars as Ellard Simms in Firebox Theatre Company's rendition of The Foreigner by Larry Shue (photo by Camille Mahs)

The Bottom Line:

This is a highly entertaining show, and it fits the space quite well.

And, as funny as this play is, don't be surprised if you find yourself thinking about a few of the social issues that it raises.

More than that, however, Firebox Theatre Company's team always seem to exude a friendly, welcome-to-our-show attitude that hangs in the air from the moment that we enter the venue.

Final recommendation: Attend on a Friday or Saturday night (because White Street Brewing Company closes at 10 p.m. on Thursday, and it's a shame to visit Wake Forest and not be able to get a pint of Tangled Oaks Scottish Ale).

Firebox Theatre Company will stage The Foreigner on March 14-24 at "The Graham" in Wake Forest (photo by Camille Mahs)

Larry Shue's THE FOREIGNER (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16, 17, and 21-24), directed by Aaron Alderman and starring David Holt as Charlie Baker, Thom Christensen as S/Sgt. "Froggy" LeSueur, Ruthie Martinez as Betty Meeks, Matt Delaney as the Rev. David Marshall Lee, Cora Hemphill as Catherine Simms, Xenon Winslow as Ellard Simms, and Ben Apple as Owen Musser (Firebox Theatre Company at the Graham Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Wake Forest). VIDEOS: https://www.facebook.com/fireboxtheatrecompany/videos/. PRESENTER: https://www.fireboxtheatre.com/, https://www.facebook.com/fireboxtheatrecompany/, and https://www.instagram.com/fireboxtheatrecompany/. 2024 SEASON: https://www.fireboxtheatre.com/performances. VENUE: https://www.thecottoncompany.net/, https://www.facebook.com/fireboxtheatrecompany/thecottoncompanyofwakeforest, and https://www.instagram.com/thecottoncompany. DIRECTIONS/MAP: https://www.google.com/maps/. PARKING: here. COVID REQUIREMENTS (scroll down): here. THE FOREIGNER (1984 Off-Broadway Comedy): https://www.dramatists.com/cgi-bin/db/single.asp?key=1181, http://www.iobdb.com/Production/1907, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Foreigner_(play). THE SCRIPT (excerpts): https://books.google.com/books. LARRY SHUE (New Orleans, LA-born playwright and actor, nee Larry Howard Shue, 1946-85): https://www.dramatists.com/, http://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/11961, and https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0795579/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Shue. TICKETS: $25, plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: fireboxtheatre@gmail.com. PLEASE DONATE TO: Firebox Theatre Company and the Cotton Company Event Gallery.

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