Stranger in a Strange Land

Now, I don't know how many of you are familiar with Larry Shue's play, The Foreigner, but it's one of my all-time favorites. When I heard that Terry Dodd would be directing the Metropolitan State College of Denver's mounting of this production, I could not have been more excited.
I made a point of finding one of Metro's most-talented young actors, Ben Cowhick, and made sure that he got a personal introduction to Terry (who, in addition to being one of Denver's most talented and hard-working directors and playwrights, is also a heckuva nice guy.) Then I pointed Ben in the direction of another of Larry Shue's plays, The Nerd, as a monologue source for his audition.
Now, did I actually have anything whatsoever to do with Ben getting the lead role of Charley in the show? No, of course not. When you see the play (and you really should) you will see that this young man's talent alone garnered him the coveted role. Am I going to take credit for it anyway? Yup. Get used to it.
All kidding aside, Ben Cowhick gives an absolutely athletic comic performance as the mousy British traveler who pretends to be a foreigner who speaks no English so that he will be left alone. Naturally, the hijinks ensue. Terrific performances abound in this production -- Jesssica Evans and Jeff Simpson in particular -- but expect Cowhick's manic portrayal to bring you to your feet at the curtain call.
Now, this play is not listed on the CTG website. John Moore and company will not be writing a review in the Post or the News, but I'm telling you that this will be one of the best plays you'll see this season.
Here is the info on the show:

The Foreigner by Larry Shue
Directed by Terry Dodd
February 28- March 1 & March 6-8, 2008 @ 7:30 PM
March 9 @ 2:30 PM
MSCD King Center Studio Theatre
On the Auraria Campus in Denver
(Located right next to the Tivoli STudent Union)
For reservations, call 303-556-2296
*Only two weekends!*

Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the playwright Larry Shue's body of work, that's because there really isn't much to it. Tragically, Mr. Shue was killed in a plane crash at the age of 39. Here is a nice tribute site to the man and his work.