The Foreigner at HCTO

Last night I had the chance to see the hilarious play The Foreigner at HCTO (I rescheduled from last week because I didn't want to drive all the way from Bountiful to Orem in the snow).  I really love this show because not only is it laugh out loud funny but it also features some deeper themes about overcoming fears about those who are different and that is something that is very needed in the world right now.   Sgt. Froggy LeSueur (Brett Myers) is a British demolition expert who is visiting rural Georgia to conduct training sessions at an army base.  Froggy brings his friend Charlie Baker (Greg Larsen), who is depressed over his marital difficulties, with him and installs him at a nearby fishing lodge owned by Betty Meeks (Luone Ingram) while he is on maneuvers.  Charlie doesn't like this arrangement because he is painfully shy and fears having to interact with strangers but Froggy solves the problem by telling Betty that Charlie is a foreigner who doesn't speak English.  The other guests at the lodge are drawn to Charlie because they believe that he can't understand them.  Catherine (Kelly Pulver) pours her heart out to him because he is a good listener, Ellerd (Ian Webb) gains confidence by successfully "teaching" him English, and David (Dallin Bradford) inadvertently reveals a plot he has hatched with a local member of the Ku Klux Klan named Owen (Marshall Lamm).  Chaos ensues but Charlie begins to feel like he belongs and he eventually helps to foil David's plan.  This show features a lot of exaggerated physical comedy and I can't remember when I've laughed so hard, especially when Ellerd tries to teach Charlie the English words for all of the items in the lodge, when Charlie is asked to tell a story in his native language (which is completely made up), and when Charlie spooks Owen by pretending to control Ellerd (who is disguised in a Ku Klux Klan robe).  Everyone in the cast has great comedic timing (I don't know how they kept their composure during some of the more over the top scenes) but I especially enjoyed watching Larsen and Webb interact because their facial expressions are hysterically funny.  I loved the set and I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail (when it rained there was a slow drip of water from a leak in the roof into a pot right next to me).  I also liked the period costumes, especially Catherine's fantastic 80s fashions!  It is always fun to start the new year with a comedy and this is one that is is sure to make you laugh!  I highly recommend getting a ticket to one of the performances through February 17 (go here for tickets).