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<h1><i><b><small><small><small><small>(Record Publishing "Happenings"
section 2/7 - 2/10/10)</small></small></small></small></b></i><br>
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<h2>'Foreigner' fun, witty voyage for audience
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<p>by April Helms</p>
<p>Special Products Editor</p>
<p>The
staging of Aurora Community Theatre's "The Foreigner" by Larry Shue
also served as a sort of a homecoming for its director, Aurora resident
Roseann Canfora. </p>
<p>Canfora, who was resident director at the
theater from 1989 to 1996, said she was invited to come back to direct
the comedy, for the theater's 50th anniversary season. Canfora said she
had been hesitant at first because of her busy schedule, but added that
directing this show was delightful.</p>
<p>"This is the most
professional cast I've ever worked with in community theater," Canfora
said. "I come into the theater for rehearsals and laugh the entire time
at the wit and comedy. But I also can't think of a more relevant time
than now to share Larry Shue's message of tolerance and his distaste
for xenophobia, bigotry and prejudice."</p>
<p>The sell-out crowd on
opening night Jan. 29 seemed to enjoy the show, which centers on a
painfully shy man's pretending to be a foreigner who can't speak
English so he will be left alone -- but winds up involved in the lives
of those affiliated with a Georgia fishing lodge.</p>
<p>"I thought it was really good," said Donna Griesmer of Canfield. "I
thought it was funny. The performers were excellent."</p>
<p>John Walsh, who brought his 10-year-old daughter Sara, agreed.</p>
<p>"We couldn't stop laughing," Walsh said. "We couldn't see the
acting, which is a good thing. It was so natural, seemless."</p>
<p>In
the play, Froggy LeSueur (played by Jack Warren) has traveled to
Georgia on business and has invited his close friend Charlie (played by
Alex Nine) on the trip so he can take a much-needed vacation. They stop
in a rustic fishing lodge owned by Betty (played by Jenifer Warren),
another friend of Froggy's. The problem is that Charlie is terrified of
holding a conversation with strangers, so Froggy hatches the idea that
Charlie is a visitor from another country who doesn't understand
English. The idea is so people will leave the shy Charlie alone, but
this backfires in amusing ways. Betty, who has felt down-in-the dumps,
is thrilled to have an exotic guest at her lodge and dotes on him like
a mother hen. Catherine (played by Brenda Redmond), who is engaged to
be married, shares her frustrations with Charlie, comfortable with the
knowledge her new confidant can't understand a word she is saying.
Catherine's younger brother Ellard (played by Chris Putnam), regarded
as dim by the others, takes it upon himself to teach Charlie English,
which provides some of the sweetest moments in the show. </p>
<p>Not
everyone is thrilled to have a foreigner in their midst, however. Owen
(played by Gary Bakst) has his own designs for Betty's lodge: he wants
to buy it cheap and turn it into the new headquarters for the Ku Klux
Klan. Catherine's fiance David is surreptitiously helping Owen, hoping
to secure his marriage to Catherine to get his hands on her sizable
inheritance.</p>
<p>Ticket and show information</p>
<p>"The Foreigner" runs through Feb. 20.</p>
<p>Tickets
are $16 for adults, $11 for youth 18 and under, and are available
online at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="http://www.auroracommmunitytheatre.com">www.auroracommmunitytheatre.com</a>,
or through the box office at
330-562-1818. Group discounts are also available by calling the box
office.</p>
<p>The theater is at 115 E. Pioneer Trail in Aurora. </p>
<p>Next on stage</p>
<p>Aurora Community Theatre will next produce "The Music Man," which
will open April 16 and run through May 8. </p>
<p>Theater renovation project</p>
<p>The
theater is currently raising funds for improved lighting, sound and
theater seating. To raise money for the capital campaign, ACT is
selling raffle tickets for a History of ACT quilt. The theater also is
selling brick plaques, to be placed in the lobby. For details, call the
theater or visit ACT's Web site.</p>
<p>E-mail: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:ahelms@recordpub.com">ahelms@recordpub.com</a></p>
<p>Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153</p>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Christine Patronik-Holder
Business and Marketing Manager
Aurora Community Theatre
P.O. Box 9
115 E. Pioneer Trail
Aurora, Ohio 44202
330-562-1818
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:christine@auroracommunitytheatre.com">christine@auroracommunitytheatre.com</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.auroracommunitytheatre.com">www.auroracommunitytheatre.com</a>
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