Valeria De Miguel Melo
Staff Writer
During late October and early November, Broward College staged a production of The Foreigner by Larry Shue. The show follows a socially anxious man by the name of Charlie. His wife has told him that he is extremely boring, so he wishes to “develop a personality.” When his friend, Sergeant Froggy, invites him to a Bed and Breakfast in Georgia, Charlie reluctantly accepts after his wife encourages him to go. Froggy tells everyone Charlie is Foreign and can’t speak English to spare Charlie the necessity of talking to anyone while having social anxiety. But when Charlie overheard that one of the people staying at the Bed and Breakfast is part of a xenophobic and racist secret society, he takes action to stop the secret society from taking over. The play is an incredible mix of joy and politics that both makes your eyes water with laughter and makes you question your stance on equality.
Mariah Reed didn’t choose this show at random. With the elections so close at hand at the time of the performances, she wanted to make a statement and to get people reflecting about where they stood politically. The show alluded to the Ku Klux Klan and simply asked the audience to reflect on what they think is best for the country and for everyone living in the United States. After all, we must find a way to move forward, and not backwards. In Reed’s director’s note she wrote:
“The Foreigner reminds us that while ugly xenophobia is still alive, so is the saving grace of human kindness. Though this play was written in 1984, its themes are clearly still relevant today. Winner of two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production, Larry Shue’s farce is a complicated, yet endearing tale expertly told in a way that invokes intense laughter as we observe human frailty, as well as self-reflection spurred by contemplation of society’s ills.”
The cast worked together to help each member shine. Even after all the setbacks the cast and crew of The Foreigner had to face, including Hurricane Milton forcing them to reschedule the shows, they managed to put on a performance that was wholesome and full of delight, and the experience only made them grow closer. Most of the characters had a Southern Georgian accent, which meant that the actors had months of training to be able to play their characters for hours. The acting of Sean Roberts, who played Charlie Baker, portrayed his character flawlessly and seamlessly. The evolution of Charlie’s character throughout the play can be seen through Sean’s facial expressions and body language, which slowly relax from an upright posture to a relaxed flow of motions, as he becomes more comfortable with who he is.
Charlie’s interactions with Ellard Simms, a young adult who has difficulties with social cues, leave your heart melting with joy. It is a marvelous thing to get to observe Victoria Wolf in her role of Ellard, and to get to experience all the wonder and curiosity Ellard brings to the play with his unique view on life, and a deep desire to be accepted and loved. Victoria brought the perfect energy to be able to bring Ellard to life, and she managed to leave everyone in the audience enchanted with little Ellard and his kindness. Betty Meeks, portrayed by Ashley Stewart, also had moving interactions with Charlie. Betty is an old lady who has not had the chance to explore the world as much as she desires to, and having the chance to host a foreigner in her own Bed and Breakfast brings immense joy to her. Ashley had to keep the posture of an old lady for the duration of the play, and she never broke character despite how uncomfortable that position can be. Her tone inflections and knowing smiles made the world of the play come to life, and it was impossible not to believe she really was a sweet old lady full of love and acts of service.
The technical team of the play left me, and the rest of the audience awed by their work. The set design by Raul Hernandez, along with all the handiwork from all the crew (actors included), culminated in a rustic house design that made the play complete. The wood details, the objects carefully placed around the house, and the three levels on the house gave the Bed and Breakfast a homey and comfortable look that made you feel like you were part of the play. That, along with the rest of the technical aspects of the play,made the world of The Foreigner come to life. Everything from the subtle flashes of light when doors opened, to the pitter-patter of the rain came together to sew each piece of the performance into a wave of introspection that draped over the spectators.
It is important to reflect how our actions and beliefs will affect the people around us, and help our world move forward, and not transition into our past. We must listen to the messages of the world around us and take it upon ourselves to be the part of change, exactly as the director’s aim was when she decided to bring this play onto the Broward College stage. I truly hope to get to see each of the talented actors that performed in the play onstage soon, and I want to thank them for the fabulous performance they gifted to us. The determination and effort it took to bring the characters from a paper script to life paid off in beautiful visuals, and a deep connection between actor and audience. Charlie taught us throughout the play that everyone has the potential to be whomever they set out to be and help the world move forward, and not backwards.
demiv2@mail.broward.edu
