Realizing his passion for Shue’s ‘The Foreigner’

Christine Carrillo

After years of molding his writing career to incorporate his

theatrical drive, Tom Titus had noticed that the frequency of coming

across inspiring plays had waned just as his longevity in the

business had grown.

While that lull stunted his directorial passion temporarily, it

ended abruptly when he saw “The Foreigner” performed at the South

Coast Repertory 15 years ago. Since then, the Costa Mesa resident and

longtime Daily Pilot theater critic has longed to dig his hands deep

into the comedic play that had sparked his directorial ambitions as

he sat among his fellow theater-goers and the actors took the stage.

The play begins when Sgt. Froggy LeSueur and his feeble friend

Charlie Baker enter a rural Georgia home looking for lodging. After

persuasion from his ailing and unfaithful wife, Charlie accompanies

his friend and agrees to stay in the lodge as long as he’s left

alone.

To mask his friend’s shyness, Froggy tells the other guests that

Charlie is a foreigner who doesn’t understand English. As a result,

Charlie finds himself in a number of situations that allow him to

witness the various scandals among the other guests.

After watching the play unfold, Titus knew he had to direct it. He

immediately found himself enamored with the depth of each character

and inspired by the story that playwright Larry Shue was trying to

tell. And on Nov. 1, the Huntington Beach Playhouse gave him his

chance.

“I like to do plays that have a little bite to them and will move

an audience,” he said. “[Theater] is the most fun you can have with

your clothes on. It’s a wonderful way to push yourself and your

creativity button.”

While Titus saw this play as an opportunity to build upon a

fondness that began during his Army days in New York, his role as a

director was the final addition to a theater career that began in the

audience.

Titus started his career as a theater critic and added acting to

his resume at 26. As he developed his knowledge of the world of

theater, the self-proclaimed introvert was inspired to venture from

his shell -- a transformation that many actors can relate to.

“I was an introvert, and acting helps me to get out of my own

skin,” said Dave Cunningham, who plays Froggy. “You don’t feel

ashamed because it’s not you, it’s you stepping into someone else’s

skin.” Cunningham worked alongside Titus during his reporting days at

the Daily Pilot.

Understanding the role of an actor, Titus has developed into a

more appreciated director.

“Tom gives you a general direction and let’s you fill out the

character yourself, and that’s really good from an actor’s

standpoint,” said Kip Hogan, who plays Betty Meeks, the owner of the

lodge.

As Titus works with actors who will readily take on a different

persona and enjoy the challenge of picking up on insightful and

revealing mannerisms, it’s no surprise that when his back is turned,

the cast can be found mimicking and impersonating the director

himself.

And apparently, they’ve gotten fairly good at it.

With a comfortable atmosphere in place backstage, Titus has

discovered that his actors exude a more comfortable performance on

stage, as well -- a quality Titus refuses to take full credit for.

“I believe in letting an actor bring what they can to a character

and if it’s too much I’ll try to tone them down and if it’s not

enough I’ll try to get more out of them,” he said. “All you have to

do is just give them a general direction to go, and they’ll be right

there ... and sometimes they’ll be ahead of you.”

In allowing his actors room to develop their characters on their

own, he has given them a chance to develop their craft as a whole.

“By casting me, he’s really helped me grow up as a performer,”

said Christy Joy Smith, who plays Catherine Simms, one of the guests

at the lodge.

“He builds that esteem and really gives you room. You grow up with

Tom,” she said. “He helps you be responsible for yourself and your

character.”

Attributing the majority of the play’s success to Larry Shue, the

playwright, and to the actors gracing the stage as well, Titus

doesn’t see his directorial job as an overpowering one. He sees it

more as an opportunity to reveal the talents of others.

“If he doesn’t say anything, then you know he likes it,” Smith

said. “We have directors for a reason. It’s so important to have them

share their vision with the cast.”

That mentality is precisely how Titus reveals his talent and his

passion for the theatrical world.

“I’ve been in this crazy business/pastime/avocation for 37 years,

and my fondest wish is to be able to continue in it for another 37,”

he said. “Of course, that would make me 101, but as long as I can

wiggle my fingers and hold on to my brain cells, I’m in it as both a

writer and actor/director for the full ride.”

“The Foreigner” is playing at the Huntington Beach Playhouse

through Nov. 17. Call (714) 375-0696 for ticket information.