The Town Players Of Newtown's current production of Larry Shue's The Foreigner had a well received opening weekend. This tried and true staple of theater is under the direction of the multi-talented Tim Huebenthal, who also designed the perfectly appointed fishing lodge set.The second production of the 2016 season for Town Players, The Foreigner will continue weekends through June 25. Curtain is 8 pm Friday and Saturday, and 2 pm Sundays, June 12 and 19. Tickets are $22 for the evening shows, $18 for the matinees, and can be reserved by calling 203-270-9144 or at newtownplayers.org.

Accompanied by his friend Froggy, played by Nick Kaye, Charlie Baker (Bob Filipowich) is delivered to the care of Betty Meeks (Jennifer Weiss), the proprietor of the Fishing Lodge Resort in Tilghman County, Georgia.

Poor, shy and boring, Charlie has been sent adrift by his terminally straying and ill wife, for whom he pines. Charlie explains to Froggy that he wants no part of any conversation while away and a scheme is devised to keep him silent. This leads to comical and treacherous interactions, in the backwoods of Georgia, where it appears all are not welcome.

Also residing in the lodge are sister and brother Catherine and Ellard Simms (Bryn Berg and Tony Benedetti). Along with Catherine's fiancé, the Reverend David Marshall Lee (Rick Haylon), they have designs on purchasing the lodge from Betty, although it appears they do not have a unified vision for the repurposing of the site.

Therein lies the rub, and some pretty nasty business ensues. Soon-to-be sheriff Owen Musser (Frank Arnon) has evil ambitions up his tattoo sleeves. Some are in cahoots, other are innocent do-gooders.

They are all under the watchful eye of Charlie, the "foreigner," while he learns some English from the simple Ellard and lends an ear to the distraught Catherine.

This wonderful cast is led by the very talented and animated Bob Filipowich, who manages an all-knowing innocence with his portrayal of an outsider who becomes the ultimate insider. Everyone - save in-the-know Froggy - falls under the spell of the foreigner, in one way or another. The play is both farcical and magical.

The opening weekend audience laughed out loud at the nonsensical antics and broad comedy of Mr Filipowich and company. They earned their robust round of applause.

The newly renovated Little Theater is charming and well designed. You must go check it out. The show and the venue are both delightful.

[mappress mapid="219"]