The Post-Standard News
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January 30, 2003
Section: CNY
Edition: Final
Page: E4

It doesn't get much better than the first scene in the second act of "The Foreigner," the current Appleseed production on the Atonement Stage. The audience was enjoying one hearty laugh after another, the actors were spot-on with their ensemble work, and Larry Shue's hilarious script provided some of his best material. What a way to warm up an icy Syracuse night!

Director Jon Wilson has a handle on the seriocomic material in Shue's tale, which often plays with words and focuses on communication and bigotry as its major themes.

Wilson has a deft hand with the serious side of the play, using comedy most effectively to make the playwright's points. He paces his actors effectively, and they don't miss a beat, especially in the pivotal beginning of the second act.

"Foreigner" (or "furriner," as the Mississippi natives would have it) tells the story of a shy Brit who finds himself in a Delta backwater hotel. To protect his privacy, he and a friend manufacture a foreign identity, and his "inability" to speak English becomes a driving force behind the action.

The other characters often reveal much about themselves, while under the assumption that they cannot be understood, and the "foreigner" learns quite a bit about himself, as well.

Bryan VanCampen ably plays Charlie Baker, the foreigner. He does a splendid job with the role, manufacturing broken English, mugging with a non-comprehending grin on his face and becoming a likable, appealing personality.

The strength of his acting is a fine foil for Casey Ryan, who plays Owen Musser, the classic redneck reactionary. Ryan is believably sinister and menacing, which is crucial to the development of the serious overtones of this comedy.

Jennie E. Russo and Justin Noce play siblings. They have just inherited a lot of money, and both seem vulnerable. Russo's Catherine Simms has been easily duped by the promises of her finagling fiance but grows in understanding and humanity as she learns to embrace the foreigner.

Noce, as the slow-witted Ellard Simms, is particularly endearing. He glows in his role as English tutor for the foreigner. His Southern accent tends to the two-syllable version of words (for-work for fork), which translates to some of the humor based on language.

Noce plays the role with just the right touches, never stooping to condescension or buffoonery.

David Simmons is slippery and despicable as Catherine's fiance, the Rev. David Lee. He performs with a consistent accent and presents his Klan-ish views with eerie authenticity.

Edward Mastin, as Staff Sgt. "Froggy" LeSueur, frames the action with a strong performance. Cathy Greer-English has fun with her role as Betty Meeks, who owns the Fishing Lodge Resort, the location for all the action. Her antics in trying to please her foreign guest are a lot of fun to watch.

Wilson also serves as the scenic designer/artist and lighting designer. The set, with a special trapdoor feature and window, approximates the feel of a slightly seedy fishing camp and works wonderfully well for some important action in the final scenes.

Appleseed creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for its patrons, with lemon water and coffee available at the round tables and complimentary dessert at intermission.

The audience Saturday night thoroughly enjoyed the ambience of the evening, as well as the clever humor of this production.

© 2003 The Post-Standard.