About the Play:

The Foreigner has long been a favourite of acting teachers for Male Monologues, Female/Male Scenes, and Male/Male Scenes.

The Foreigner is a full-length comedy by Larry Shue. An inspired comic romp, equal in inventive hilarity to the author's classic comedy The Nerd. Based on what the New York Post describes as a "devilishly clever idea," the play demonstrates what can happen when a group of devious characters must deal with a stranger who (they think) knows no English.

The Foreigner takes place in a fishing lodge in rural Tilghman County, Georgia, often visited by "Froggy" LeSeuer, a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base. This time "Froggy" has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So "Froggy," before departing, tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins, as 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. That he does fuels the nonstop hilarity of the play and sets up the wildly funny climax in which things go uproariously awry for the "bad guys," and the "good guys" emerge triumphant.

The Foreigner enjoyed a sold-out premiere in 1983 Milwaukee before moving on to a long run Off-Broadway at New York City's Astor Place Theatre, winning two OBIE Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. The play has become a favourite scene study vehicle in acting classes and workshops and has become a staple of high schools, community theatres and repertory companies because of its memorable and absurd characters, the hilarious plot line, and the wit of the dialogue.

Cast: 2 female, 5 male

What people say:

"Something funny is going on in Milwaukee — to the delight of audiences at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre." — Variety

"I laughed start to finish at one comic surprise after another." — The New Yorker

"…a constant invitation to relax and laugh at the foolishness of life…." — Village Voice

"Shue's comedy is positively antic, yet pleasantly seasoned with a few dashes of sentimentality…He has raided comedy's storehouse…." — Bergen Record

About the Playwright:

Larry Shue (1946-1985) was an American playwright and actor. After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he began his career as a professional actor and playwright appearing in a soap opera, 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 and The Foreigner. Both went on to be produced on Broadway, winning two Obies and two New York Drama Critic Awards. Sadly, his success was short-lived. He died in the crash of a commuter plane in Virginia at the age of 39.