THE FOREIGNER Returns to CC Playhouse This Week

September 4 through November 6, The Foreigner returns to the Cumberland County Playhouse Mainstage! Says director Weslie Webster (Smoke on the Mountain, Wizard of Oz),"Ever since it was first performed at CCP in 1987, The Foreigner has been the most requested title - and the most popular production - in Playhouse history. And I'm just thrilled that I once again get to work with all the amazing actors who made the show a smash hit last year."

Since its 1983 premiere, Larry Shue's side-splitting farce has earned two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production. In it, we meet the painfully shy Charlie Baker (Jason Ross) who has been brought to a remote fishing lodge in Georgia by his friend Froggy (Michael Ruff), a British demolitions expert who runs training sessions at a nearby army base. Terrified of actually having to converse with strangers once Froggy departs, Charlie pretends to be a foreigner who doesn't understand English. When the other residents of the lodge begin to speak freely around him, he not only becomes privy to secrets both frivolous and dangerous, he also discovers an adventurous extrovert within himself.

Also returning to the cast are Carol Irvin as the lodge's owner Betty Meeks, Lauren Marshall as former debutante Catherine Simms, who's visiting with her brother Ellard (Daniel Black) and fiancé Reverend David Lee (Britt Hancock). Grammy nominee Bobby Taylor rounds out the cast as the disreputable local Owen Musser.

The Foreigner is rated G and is co-sponsored by Stanley Bise, M.D. and Dr. Anthony Wilson. Tickets are available by calling 931-484-5000 or by visiting http://www.ccplayhouse.com.

Currently at the Playhouse: Smoke on the Mountain, rated G, sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, through October 10 and Ken Ludwig's (Lend Me A Tenor) hilarious farce The Fox on the Fairway, rated PG-13, sponsored by Good Times Wine, Spirits & Brew, through October 16. Upcoming: the show that started it all, Paul Crabtree's The Perils of Pinocchio, rated G, sponsored by members of the Crabtree Family, September 25 through October 31. Tickets and information are also available for Southern Stars Symphonic Brass and other events. All CCP productions are made possible through sponsor support, with additional support provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Attention PC users: When clicking on a photo attachment, please click on the larger sized attachment of the photo you wish to view. The smaller size attachment only contains photo information and will give an error message if clicked. If you have any trouble with the attached photos, please call Tina Campbell, (931)484-8402 ext. 230.

Photo by Walt Riches