Reviewed 3/12/05
by Larry Shue
Directed by Kimberlee Hart
Scottsdale Community Players
Stagebrush Theatre, Scottsdale
(480) 990-7405
March 4th - 20th, 2005
$18.00 - $20.00
I’ve been attending Scottsdale Community Players less and less these past few seasons. At first, it was regret over the systematic lowering of standards in their productions. Recently, it’s just been scheduling, since the last two shows I’ve seen there have been a better and more consistent quality. With their current production of Larry Shue’s The Foreigner, they’ve proven that they should return to the group of theatres that I schedule myself to see. Under the sure hand of up and coming director Kimberlee Hart, proving that it’s not only musicals with which she is adept, and with a group of enjoyable actors doing a truly funny script, Stagebrush looks to be back.
This story of growth through lack of communication initially seemed like it was going to be a dud. Paul Wilson’s box set is an unimpressive affair whose greatest asset is finding the hidden roaches painted on the paneling. As British munitions expert “Froggy” LaSueur, Zack Ogle stepped onstage with what has to be the worst fake moustache since Groucho Marx. Then followed his timid friend Charlie, and actor Ken Milder looked like he was going to play catatonic. My fear was unjustified, for as soon as Barbara McBain took the stage as Georgia fishing lodge owner Betty, I forgot the moustache and Milder perked up considerably. Save for one subpar performance, the remainder of the cast is quite funny, and as the evening progrssed, Milder became the funniest of all.
From meek to chic, Milder gussies up his character arc and
becomes the center of a true laughfest. As he begins to sort of communicate
to those surrounding him, he connects on many levels to the oddballs with
whom he spends his initially silent vacation. Underneath his pasted facial
hair, Ogle is quite funny and sincere. McBain’s Betty is sweetly goofy.
Michael Hummel’s portrayal of the good-natured Reverend is an earnest
and balanced offering. Terry Hamilton is exceptionally creepy as good ol’ boy
Owen. Ari Lawrence is a joy as the somewhat dimwitted Ellard, and the truth
he gives to his character imbues it with comic strength. The only disappointment
is Ashleigh Hunt’s portrayal of the sweetly trusting and sad Catherine.
She doesn’t seem to be connected with those around her, and she swallows
her voice making it difficult to hear her.
Hart’s pacing is quite spry, and she sets up some nice stage pictures to keep some of the longer talky moments visually interesting. She has stressed a consistency of accents that is refreshing.
By the end of the evening, I was thinking back on some of the great times I’d had at Stagebrush, and realized that this ranked up there with many of those. If you’re looking for belly laughs, take a trip to visit The Foreigner.
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