Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre to stage ‘The Foreigner’ this summer
WINONA, Minn. — Actors from Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, South Dakota and Minnesota will soon be arriving for the second season of Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre at Saint Mary’s University.
The professional actors of Gilmore Creek will present “The Foreigner” and “Little Shop of Horrors” in repertory with the children’s story “The Mouse Expedition” July 10 through Aug. 3. “The Foreigner” and “Little Shop of Horrors” will be staged at Saint Mary’s Page Theatre, and audiences can catch “The Mouse Expedition” at the Valéncia Academy Theatre, located at 1164 W. 10th St.
“The Foreigner” demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English. The locals of a rural Georgian fishing lodge are told that an innocent, shy young man named Charlie speaks no English. As the plot progresses, Charlie overhears more than he should: the evil plans of a sinister, two-faced minister and his redneck associate; the fact that the minister's pretty fiancée is pregnant; and many other damaging revelations — made with the thought that Charlie doesn't understand a word being said. The wildly funny climax separates the “bad guys,” and the “good guys” and ensures a happy ending.
The show has become a staple of community theatre and repertory companies throughout the country because of its memorable and absurd characters, the hilarious plot line, and the wit of the dialogue. These finely developed aspects of the play allow for endless interpretations of the drama, so that no matter where you last saw it, or what company produced it, the play will provide the audience a unique experience.
The author of “The Foreigner,” Larry Shue, was born in New Orleans, La., in 1946. After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he began his career as a professional actor and playwright — appearing in the soap opera One Live to Live, in New York theatre and in a few films.
As playwright-in-residence at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, two of his best-known plays were written and produced: “The Nerd,” 1981, and “The Foreigner,” 1983. Both went on to be produced on Broadway, winning two Obies and two New York Drama Critic Awards. Sadly, Shue's success was short-lived. He died in the crash of a commuter plane in Virginia at the age of 39.
Returning Gilmore Creek director Steve Snyder guarantees the professional cast will bring their own unique take on Shue’s colorful characters. Pulling talent in from throughout the Midwest and beyond insures the cast will bring to the stage different accents, views of the character development, and view of the plot’s actions.
Tickets are available for any of the Gilmore Creek shows from the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, during summer office hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or online anytime at www.pagetheater.org. Tickets to “The Foreigner” and “Little Shop of Horrors” are $20; $18 for seniors or $12 for youth ages 12-18. Family and group packages are available. Tickets to “The Mouse Expedition” are $8.
