BWW Previews: COMEDIC FARCE THE FOREIGNER COMING TO Carrollwood Players Theatre

Actor Allan T. Anderson describes the farce coming to Carrollwood Players Theatre April 13 through May 5 as "comedic, absurd, and high energy."

Larry Shue's 1985 play The Foreigner, directed by Miguel E. Rodriguez, features Hippie Griswold as Charlie Baker, a British proofreader who is painfully shy and dealing with depression over his wife's illness. Charlie's friend, English explosives expert Staff Sergeant "Froggy" LeSueur (Constantine Kyriakou) takes him for a mini-vacation to a fishing lodge in rural Tilghman County, Georgia.

At the lodge, Charlie's social phobia causes him to remain silent when people try to talk to him. Froggy claims Charlie is a "foreigner" and does not understand their customs or language.

The lodge's residents believe the subterfuge and hold sensitive, private discussions in Charlie's presence. During the course of the comedy, Charlie overhear various secrets, scandals and schemes and learns to use his wits to change from socially phobic to "saving the day."

"People are going to love Charlie because he is so relate-able about his worries about life and what others think of him," said Hippie. "I came into this show late, but I couldn't be happier to be a part of it. I'm working with people I've worked with before, and some I'm just meeting now. The hard work and effort being put in is astounding. Everyone wants this to be an astounding show, and I know it will be."

The Foreigner cast also features Allan as Ellard Simms, Michael C de Baca as Owen Musser, Ann K. Lehman as Betty Meeks, Elsie Michelle Mendez as Catherine Simms, and Bo Smith as David Lee.

Miguel said the show message is very relevant today.

"Nobody's like anybody. We are not defined by how we speak or by the color of our skin, but by how we relate to and communicate with one another."

The Foreigner is at Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Hwy., Tampa April 13-May 5. Learn more at www.carrollwoodplayers.org. Performances are Friday and Saturday 8pm and Sunday 3pm. Tickets are available at https://carrollwood-players-theatre.ticketleap.com/the-foreigner/.