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‘The Foreigner’ at McPherson College Displays Work of Student Director

In “The Foreigner,” a man named Charlie gets tossed into a new and unfamiliar situation when his friends introduces him as a foreigner who speaks no English.

Addie Johnson, junior, McPherson, at McPherson College is learning how to direct “The Foreigner” in a similar way – by jumping in as the only director of the comedy, which is showing at 7:30 p.m. April 17 and 18 in Brown Auditorium.

Learning how to direct will help Johnson in her planned career, as she’s working toward becoming a theatre teacher.

Johnson said there were some initial fears after she started casting the show right before Spring Break.

“I was really excited,” she said. “And then I thought, ‘Oh, what have I gotten myself into?’”

The comedy follows two friends who go on a Georgia fishing trip, and one of them introduces the other – Charlie – as a foreigner who speaks no English to keep the locals away.

Instead, the residents come out in droves to educate the “foreigner,” and he overhears more than he should – leading to some awkward moments and has to decide what to do with what he inadvertently discovers. Johnson said her favorite part of the show is when Charlie gets tricked into telling a story in his “native language” – which he makes up on the spot.

“If people want to have a great night of laughter,” Johnson said, “I think it would be a great opportunity for people to come.”

Tickets to all shows cost $5 for adults and $3.50 for children ages high school and younger as well as seniors. Reservations may be made by contacting the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].