Joshua Cookingham of Hyde Park to appear in Huntington University's rendition of 'The Foreigner'

2012 Apr 13

Joshua Cookingham of Hyde Park, NY, will play Charlie Baker in Huntington University's rendition of "The Foreigner," opening April 24.

Cookingham is a senior film production major at HU.

In an attempt to escape England for a bit, the reclusively timid Charlie Baker (Josh Cookingham) hesitantly joins his comrade, Staff Sergeant Froggy LeSueur (Dom Corsoe), to a resort-style fishing lodge in rural Georgia. In an effort to avoid making polite, small talk with the locals, Froggy informs everyone that Charlie is from an exotic land and cannot speak a word of English. Unfortunately for Charlie, the locals begin to divulge their deep secrets to Charlie, and once Charlie learns of a dark secret plot, he must choose whether to remain silent or unveil what he knows.

"The Foreigner" will be performed in the Merillat Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre at Huntington University April 24-28. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with a special 2 p.m. matinee performance on April 28. Special guest artist, Scott Evans, a professional actor and director from New York City, will direct.

"I think audiences are going to have a great time," Evans said. "The play is, of course, chocked full of hysterical situations and great physical comedy bits. But it's got a lot of heart, too. It has some pretty encouraging things to say about our capacity to look past our differences and take care of one another."

Larry Shue wrote "The Foreigner," which opened on Nov. 1, 1984, at New York City's Astor Place Theatre where it ran for 686 performances. The play received two Obie Awards and two Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best New American Play and Best Off-Broadway Production.

Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors, $6 for children 13 and younger, $5 for HU students and $9 for HU faculty/staff.

For reservations, call the Merillat Centre for the Arts Box Office at 260-359-4261 from 1-4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Tickets also will be sold at the door before every performance. Tickets are now on sale. Buy your tickets today as seating is limited.

You won't want to miss this uproarious comedy!

For more information about the Huntington University Theatre Company, visit www.huntington.edu/theatre.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For text of this and all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.