Theater: Loud, twisted talkers at Lorenzo’s
‘Foreigner’ funny regardless
by Celeste H. Breitenbach
news@timesheraldnews.com
The Foreigner takes the stage at Lorenzo’s Timonium Dinner Theatre, 9603 Deereco Rd., through Aug. 15.
Larry Shue’s witty, funny play offers the premise of ultra shy Englishman Charlie Baker staying at Betty Meeks’ Fishing Lodge in the deep woods of Georgia. Because he has trouble talking to strangers, his friend tells Betty that he is a foreigner and doesn’t speak the language.
Poor Charlie! Well played by Pat McPartlin, he is subject to Erin Cassell (as Betty Meeks) screaming at full decibel into his ear (as though that would help a foreigner understand another’s language!).
Then there are the Rev. David Marshall Lee and Owen Musser (played by Jim Gerhardt and Jason Michael Maur) hatching their nefarious plot in front of him blithely believing he doesn’t understand a word they’re saying. Actually, I had difficulty deciphering Musser’s lingo because Maur puts on such a redneck hickabilly backwoods accent it seems that his tongue gets wrapped around his eyetooth and can’t see what it’s saying.
The night of this review, Edward Higgins stood in as Ellard Simms and performed admirably in the role of the seeming dimwit who is brighter than he appears.
The Foreigner provides light summertime entertainment coupled with a delicious bountiful buffet. For reservation information, call 410-560-1113.