‘Visiting Mr. Green’ a journey worth taking
The Wesley Arena Theatre begins its 2010 season with the award-winning and thought-provoking comedy/drama “Visiting Mr. Green” by Jeff Baron, playing June 10 - June 19.
The play is directed by Charles Long, who teaches instructional leadership at Tennessee Tech University. Several other members of the cast and crew have TTU connections: the technical director is Colin Forsyth of the Backdoor Playhouse, the assistant stage manager is Lori Long of the College of Education’s office of teacher education, actor Evan Montgomery is a TTU student, and several other technicians and stage crew members are TTU students.
“Visiting Mr. Green” was Jeff Baron’s first play. It has earned international recognition and has been translated into 23 languages. It received Best Play awards in the United States by the Drama League, as well as in Israel, Greece, Germany and Turkey. It was also a best play nominee for the prestigious Molière Award in France. Baron’s works “Visiting Mr. Green” and “Mother’s Day” were also the recipients of the Kulturpreis Europa 2001, making Baron the first American and the first playwright to be awarded this honor.
“Visiting Mr. Green” is a two-man show that tells the story of compassion and compliance that touches all who experience it. The setting is ripe for strong debate (and great humor) about religion, family and sexuality. This deeply moving piece travels from comedy to gripping drama through a series of vignettes between two actors. Set in New York City, the play revolves around an elderly Jewish dry cleaner who has just walked into the path of a young executive's car. A judge with a sense of humor requires the young man to pay a series of weekly visits to his victim. What starts out as an “Odd Couple”-style comedy about two worlds colliding quickly becomes a powerful and poignant story about the dangers of seclusion, prejudice and intolerance. As the weeks pass, friendships are formed, relationships are tested, and two potentially devastating secrets are revealed.
“’Visiting Mr. Green’ is a slice of real life and the emotional connections we experience with those around us. The rehearsal process has given us a chance to discuss and explore the sometimes-sensitive topics raised by this play. It is my sincere desire that you will find this production funny, compassionate and a great way to spend an evening out,” Long said. “Littered with sage advise and tear-jerking revelations, and the kind of humor that anyone who’s ever had to visit an elderly relative against their will can relate to, this play hopes to fill a gap that has been missing in Cookeville theatre for sometime. Whether you’re a young adult or a parent, the holder of strong beliefs or their victim, we believe everyone in the audience will be able to relate to this play.”
Long went on to say: “There is a certain intimacy that is fostered with a small, character-driven play... and that intimacy is paramount to the plot of this play. Just as Mr. Green and Ross develop a relationship in ‘Visiting Mr. Green,’ so have the two actors, Evan Stevens and Evan Montgomery as Mr. Green and Ross Gardiner respectively. Stevens and Montgomery are both seasoned actors... and it shows. It’s almost magical to watch the two of them together.”
Backdoor Playhouse Technical Director Forsyth will create the set design for this New York apartment. The lighting and costume design will be by Liv Sinclair and Long.
“Visiting Mr. Green” will be performed at the Wesley Arena Theatre June 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19. All performances will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. A special “pay what you can” performance will be held on June 14. Adult tickets are $7; students and senior citizens are $5. For tickets call the Wesley Arena Theatre Box Office at (931) 526-4353. For additional information visit the theatre’s website at www.wesleyarenatheatre.org.
