Overview
Synopsis
The Foreigner is a hilarious yet touching comedy set in a rural Georgia fishing lodge. The story follows Charlie Baker, a shy and self-effacing proofreader from England, who arrives with his friend Froggy LeSueur for a weekend getaway. Charlie is painfully awkward around strangers, so Froggy concocts a plan: he’ll tell the lodge’s residents that Charlie doesn’t speak English. Believing he can’t understand a word, the locals speak freely in front of him—and Charlie becomes the unexpected keeper of their secrets.
As he quietly “listens,” Charlie learns of Catherine’s doubts about her engagement, her brother Ellard’s struggle to be taken seriously, and the sinister schemes of Reverend David and the racist property inspector, Owen. With the truth hidden in plain sight, Charlie gradually finds confidence, even inventing a comically outlandish “foreign” language. When the villains’ plot to seize the lodge is revealed, Charlie uses his outsider persona to rally the others, outwit the conspirators, and save the day.
Filled with slapstick humor, sharp wit, and an undercurrent of warmth, The Foreigner explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone—sometimes by pretending to be someone you’re not.
Show Information
- Book
- Larry Shue
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1984
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- The play is set in the early 1980s in the main room of a rural fishing lodge in Georgia’s backwoods. The cozy, rustic space serves as the single location for all the action, capturing the charm and isolation of small-town Southern life.
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Larry Shue wrote The Foreigner in 1983, at the height of his career as both a playwright and actor. Known for his quick wit, knack for absurd premises, and skill at balancing farce with heartfelt moments, Shue had already achieved success with The Nerd. The Foreigner premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater to enthusiastic reviews, quickly becoming a staple of American theatre. Tragically, just two years later, Shue died in a plane crash at the age of 39, leaving behind a small but lasting
to read the context for The Foreigner and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Scene 1 – Arrival at the Lodge
British Army explosives instructor Froggy LeSueur brings his friend, Charlie Baker, to a rural fishing lodge in Tilghman County, Georgia. Charlie is painfully shy, weary from caring for his terminally ill wife, and dreads speaking to strangers. To protect him from social interaction, Froggy mischievously tells lodge owner Betty Meeks that Charlie is a foreigner who speaks no English. Betty, excited to host someone “from another land,” promises to
to read the plot for The Foreigner and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
THEMES
Fear of the “Other” – The play
to read about the themes, symbols and motifs from The Foreigner and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Quote Analysis
*“He’s from an exotic country. He doesn’t speak a
to read our analysis of select quotes from The Foreigner and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher
Jason Engleman
Humming show tunes day and night.