In The Foreigner, a comedy by Larry Shue and directed by Jack Warren opening at the Geauga Theater March 8, a hilarious situation ensues when a visitor from Great Britain and his friend stay at a rural Georgia fishing lodge. The friend is so shy, he pretends not to understand English. The other lodge guests take advantage of this shortcoming to discuss many scandalous and private goings-on at the lodge.
This production poses new challenges for regional actors. Mark Miloro, an Intensive Case Manager with Cenpatico and a veteran of the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild stage, plays the title character. “Charlie is by far the most demanding, time consuming, and study intensive role I’ve ever had.” Of the Larry Shue script, Mark was “blown away at how well I could see the show in my mind by just reading it. His command of comedic dialogue is masterful.”
Shane Wohlken who plays the Rev. David Lee said, “Accents have always been a problem for me (I just don’t seem to have the ear for them), so having to maintain a southern accent throughout this production has been challenging, to say the least.” Shane, who typically can be found enjoying the trails of the Geauga Park District or traveling through the Cleveland Metroparks where he is currently the GIS/GPS Operator, continued, “It is particularly nerve wracking in the first scene when I enter in the middle of a conversation between two British characters and I have to pull out my twang with their accents still ringing in my ears.”
The Foreigner will run March 8 through the 24th. Friday and Saturday evening performances are at 8 p.m.; and two Sunday matinees will be at 2 p.m. on the 17 and 24. All tickets are $12.00. The historic Geauga Theater is located on beautiful Chardon Square at 101 Water Street, in Chardon, Ohio. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website or call the box office at 440-286-2255.
