the foreigner
by larry shue
A shy Englishman pretends he can’t speak the language, only to uncover secrets and spark hilarious chaos in a small-town Southern lodge.
What is the play about?
The Foreigner is a heartwarming and wildly funny comedy set in a quiet fishing lodge in rural Georgia, where a painfully shy Englishman named Charlie Baker arrives seeking peace and solitude. To spare him from awkward social interactions, his friend tells the locals that Charlie doesn’t speak or understand English—an innocent lie that quickly takes on a life of its own. Believing they can speak freely around him, the lodge’s eccentric guests begin to reveal their thoughts, worries, and personal struggles in ways they otherwise never would.
As Charlie quietly observes the world around him, he becomes an unexpected confidant and source of comfort to those he meets, forming meaningful connections despite the language barrier that isn’t really there. The lodge becomes a lively hub of humor and humanity, filled with colorful characters, heartfelt moments, and growing friendships.
Blending laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine warmth, The Foreigner explores themes of kindness, belonging, and the surprising courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone—all while delivering a delightful and uplifting theatrical experience.
Cast & Creative
Learn more about the amazing people who perform in and work behind the scenes at Charitable Acts Theatre
Cevin is thrilled to perform with CAT for the first time. He has appeared in in several local productions--most recently in The Addams Family. He would like to thank his wife, Kathy, for letting him play with his theater friends again.
This is Gary’s first production in Utah; he was last on stage in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania as Amos Hart in Chicago and has enjoyed a variety of roles, but none quite as exhausting as Charlie! When not doing awful cartwheels, you’ll find him working lifts at Canyons or driving the Kilimanjaro Transport passenger van to & from SLC. He’d like to thank his wife & kids, who managed to learn his lines before he did.
Robyn Laine is passionate about comedy and theatre. She has been in several shows and has also directed The Nerd, Forever Plaid, and The Addams Family musical. Some of her favorite roles include: Lady Bracknell/Importance of Being Ernest, Annelle/Steel Magnolias, Helga Tendorp/ Deathtrap, and Blanche Dubois/A Streetcar named Desire. Playing Betty Meeks in this show is also one of her favorite roles and has been a memorable experience.
Hailing from London, England, has always had a passion for performance, whether on the stage, on screen or even music events as a DJ. New to the Utah acting scene. Previous roles include Henry Bolingbroke in Shakespeare's Richard II and various other roles in modern to Shakespearean theatre. Newly returned from travelling in Southeast Asia and Australia. Enjoys any excuse to go get lost in nature, thanks to his travels. Revels in sport activities like skiing and hiking.
Brooke Boyd (Catherine Simms) is thrilled to be a part of The Foreigner! A Dallas native, she's loved theatre since age 9. Favorite roles include Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker and Jo March in Little Women. As a Utah Valley University graduate in Hospitality Management, she now works as an event manager, blending her passion for storytelling both on stage and through the events she creates.
Brian works full-time as the Director of Resort Activities at Pendry Park City. He made his professional acting debut as an Equity Cadet in Vermont’s Northern Stage 2015 regional production of Our Town. Notable past roles include Young Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, King Charlemagne in Pippin, Garry in Noises Off, and Peter Knight in Out of Sight Out of Murder. Brian is excited to be back with Charitable Acts Theatre and looks forward to continuing with his passion for live theater.
Elder Ezra Fry is serving as a Service Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is SO excited to volunteer for The Foreigner. Elder Fry has been doing shows since he was 8 years old, starring as Michael in Peter Pan. He has loved performing in The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric), Les Mis (Enjolras), Cinderella (Prince Charming), and many others! He has been on a mission for 13 months now and is so grateful to represent Jesus Christ as he serves others!
David Liddell Thorpe is thrilled to direct The Foreigner at Charitable Acts Theatre, bringing his signature energy to Larry Shue's hilarious farce of mistaken identities, wild misunderstandings, and triumphant underdogs! A powerhouse performer and director in the Heber Valley since 2014, David has lit up the stage and the director's chair with an impressive range of roles and productions. Recent highlights include directing and starring as Gomez in The Addams Family (2025), starring as The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance (2022), directing Fiddler on the Roof for High Valley Arts (2024) and Little Shop of Horrors (2019, doubling as the gleefully sadistic dentist Orrin Scrivello). David's passion extends to bold dramatic works as well. He's directed A Streetcar Named Desire, Woyzeck, Everyman, and his own adaptation of Paradise Lost, plus Shakespeare favorites like A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and Comedy of Errors. He's bursting with excitement to helm this riotous comedy, rally an incredible cast, and share the joy of live theater with the vibrant communities of the Valley!
Acting credits include George Gibbs (Our Town), Grantaire (Les Misérables), and Don Quixote (The Man of La Mancha). Directing credits include Mary Poppins Jr (Director), The Girl in the Yellow Dress (Assist. Director), and Newsies Jr. this summer (Co-Director). Buttermore is a member of the TVT Board of Directors and works diligently to support theatre and storytelling in Wasatch Valley.
Carrie was actively involved in acting as a teenager and continued performing throughout college, where she discovered the lasting impact theatre can have on confidence, connection, and personal growth. She believes deeply in the power of theatre to change lives, bring people together, and create meaningful, shared experiences.
After moving to the Heber Valley with her family, Carrie was excited to reconnect with the stage—this time stepping into roles behind the scenes. She has found great joy in producing and directing plays, creating opportunities for others to experience the same transformative power of theatre that shaped her own life. Most recently, she directed Pride and Prejudice last year, as well as Arsenic and Old Lace and Steel Magnolias, and has loved collaborating with such talented casts and creative teams. She is grateful for the loving support of her husband, Nathan, and her four amazing children.
Garrett is a set designer/builder from Colorado who just graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. This project has been really fun for Garrett as he has been able to work with new people, try new designs, and learn new techniques. From doors to new spaces, this production has been nothing but full of fun and challenges.
Katarina Ryanna is excited to be assisting with props in this production. Katarina has a long history of interacting with theater. She has been singing on stage since she was four, and has been in multiple theatrical productions throughout the years. She is excited to expand into a new role in contributing to theater. A thank you to all those at Charitable Acts Theatre for this opportunity!
Dave is a pioneer in projection mapping and has been winning awards for his projections for the past 25 years! He has a well-known Halloween house (Bates Haunt) that was featured on Good Morning America as one of the country's best Halloween shows. Dave has done projection and show design for theaters and events all over the country.
Nathan is excited to be a part of this show! He is a musician, composer, singer, actor and production guy that has been performing in some way or another since the age of five. It is his life and his passion and he is always the most happy when he is performing or doing anything that involves entertainment and the arts. done lights/sound for several concerts and dance productions, built sets for a variety of productions, and has been seen in local commercials. Nathan would love to thank all of those who have supported him in this passion and their sacrifices that have made it all possible for him.
Steve has worked in the creation of theme parks, theater, television, movies, and music for over 35 years. He is grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this production with Charitable Acts Theatre and hope everyone enjoys the show! Thanks for comin’!
Becky Thorpe is a talented hair and makeup artist with extensive experience in film, media, and theater production. Her credits include short films, music videos, commercials, and theater work, including makeup/hair design for the recent production of The Addam's Family at TVT (2025). Bringing real-world storytelling expertise to every project, she excels in character transformation, prosthetics, wigs, and visual enhancement for stage and screen.
Adelia Marsh is a friendly, community-minded resident who has called Heber City home for the past five years, having originally grown up in Idaho. With a genuine passion for helping others, Adelia thrives on connection and enthusiastically embraces opportunities to get involved. She loves exploring fun activities around the Heber Valley and is always eager to meet new people and build lasting relationships.
Nathan Zabaldo is a seasoned software developer with over 20 years of experience, known for creating solutions used by the US Military. He is married to Carrie Zabaldo, the Founder and Director of Charitable Acts Theatre (CAT). Nathan loves the outdoors, hiking, UTV'ing, and values spending quality time with his family. He's immensely proud of Carrie, and her vision for CAT, and for her service to the Heber Valley and surrounding communities.
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A special thanks to..
