STLCC Meramec Theatre Director Michelle Rebollo directs actors and actresses to success
By: TY TAYLOR
Staff Writer
When asked what the play “The Foreigner” by Larry Schue is about, Director Michelle Rebollo said it was “a comedy beyond a comedy.”
The two-act American comedy set in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia centers around the lodge owner, Betty Meeks, a mother figure to all the guests that loves the stories of the travelers that end up at her humble cabin. She pays a special interest in an Englishmen named Froggy and his companion Charlie.
Froggy, with the understanding of his friend’s unique situation, is quick to tell Betty that his dear friend doesn’t understand English as an excuse for him to not properly respond to her questions. When in reality, he is well equipped to respond.
Charlie is an Englishmen who has the unfortunate situation where he lacks social emotion and is uncomfortably, awkwardly and painfully shy.
To remedy his habits, his friend Froggy comes up with the excuse to everyone that he is a ‘foreigner’ from an exotic country and doesn’t understand a lick of English.
This sets the tone for the play because while playing along with the lie, Charlie is soon engulfed with secrets of the rest of the lodgers and the situation that each of the characters are withholding from everyone; especially with the evil motives from the antagonist, Owen Muskier, who is trying to buy the lodge from Betty.
The play follows along with the lie and Charlie’s special reaction when being a foreigner is in question.
Through the duration of the scenes we learn to adore the characters and see how Charlie adapts to the environment and grows as a human being.
“You will take something away from watching this play because it’s not just comedy that is being addressed” said Community Actress Wendie Berry who plays the lead as Betty. “It feels like you’re a part of something bigger”.
Charlie, played by former student Dorian Rozanski, advises to the public in the practiced English accent, “You would be missing out not seeing this play”.
Rebollo said that the warm atmosphere, rustic feel and chemistry between the actors and their friendship and continuous rehearsals makes it easy to see the effort that was put into this production.
So much time and effort has been put into the play since the beginning of December, she said.
