Quote of the Day:  Comedy isn’t necessarily all dialogue. Think of Buster Keaton: the poker face and all this chaos going on all around him. Sometimes it’s a question of timing, of the proper rhythm. Clint Eastwood

The Foreigner, playing now through Oct. 11, 2014, at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, MN, is a great comedy of excellent writing, set-up, and physical humor. Even the most novice cast will get laughs from the great lines and scenes that Larry Shue offers us in his play on words, cultures, miss understandings, and revealing of secrets. It’s one of my favorite plays. I’m sure I’ve seen it a half dozen times. 

Mitchell Dallman (left) and Marc Oliphant perform in the upcoming play “The Foreigner” at Central Lakes College. The play will run Oct. 3-11. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

Mitchell Dallman (left) and Marc Oliphant perform in the upcoming play “The Foreigner” at Central Lakes College. The play will run Oct. 3-11. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The Top Ten Things I Like about The Foreigner:
1. It’s a great set-up for a comedy: A guy enters a new environment. People believe he can’t understand them. They begin to reveal too much about themselves.
2. Sometimes, it’s just easier to let people believe what they think is true.
3. Knowing a secret puts you in a precarious situation.
4. It’s funny to watch how people treat someone when they think they’re superior and won’t get caught in their own ugliness.
5. That scene at the breakfast table with the language lesson and juice glass cracks me up, everytime!
6. Betty’s a hoot. (Bri Keran does a great job playing her.)
7. As an audience member, we are in on all the secrets and lies, and we feel all “in the know” because of it, which makes most of us giggle.
8. The actor who gets to play Charlie has an opportunity to really use his body, facial expressions, and use of made up words to tell the story. He is always delightful to watch. (Mitchell Dallman plays Charlie with great expression and timing.)
9. Watching The Foreigner is a lovely escape from reality on a cold, October night.
10. Live theatre truly builds community, whether you are creating the show on stage, behind the scenes, or sitting in the audience, you are part of a creative moment that gets people out of the house and experiencing something good together.

For tickets and showtimes, visit the Central Lakes College ticket page, or call their box office, 218-855-8199.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  How would you respond if you were in a room, maybe even an elevator, where people are speaking a language you don’t understand, or they assume you don’t understand?