“The Foreigner.” by Larry Shue
July 18th - August 5th
Set in the contemporary Deep South, this is the story of a British army officer, Froggy, who seeks a quiet refuge for his buddy, Charlie, at an isolated country inn. Shy Charlie, overcome with fear at the thought of having to make conversation with anyone, assumes the identity of a foreigner who doesn’t speak English. His plan backfires, however, as he inadvertently becomes privy to the local residents’ darkest secrets, including duplicitous doings by the local preacher.

This uproarious feel-good show has, as the New Yorker says, “one comic surprise after another.” The cast features some of the Mission Valley’s favorite performers, including Wendi Arnold, Cindy Sorensen, Paul Chirico, K.C. Sorenson, Neal Lewing and this year’s guest artist, Harry Gadbow in the role of Charlie. Gadbow, from Missoula, has been featured director for past Players productions of “The Boys in Autumn” and “Tally’s Folly.”

“Educating Rita” by Willy Russell
August 8th – 26th
The final offering of the season is the charming comedy, “Educating Rita,” by Willy Russell, uniting two past Players performance in their first-ever pairing. Michael Taylor, last seen in “The Drawer Boy,” (2005) joins Megan Gran (“Onikel,” 2002) in this endearing tale of self-awakening. Frank, an English tutor, whose disillusioned outlook on life has driven him to drink, buries himself in his books. Enter Rita, a 26-year-old hairdresser hungry for knowledge who won’t take no for answer and the comic possibilities equal non-stop hilarity.