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Visiting Mr. Green
By Jeff Baron
Produced by Theatre Arlington
Audience Rating: PG-13 (adult themes, mild language, racial/sexual slurs)
Running Time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices Available: Available
Sensory-friendly Showing: Not available
ASL Showing: Not available
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: None of note
Production Sound/Lighting Level: Comfortable
Running Time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices Available: Available
Sensory-friendly Showing: Not available
ASL Showing: Not available
Noises and Visuals to Prepare For: None of note
Production Sound/Lighting Level: Comfortable
Reviewed by Eddy Herring
Visiting Mr. Green by Jeff Baron is one of those plays that is rarely done in the area, and I am unsure
why. This brilliant piece delves into how history and tradition shape and guide the lives of two
individuals from different generations and the impact it has on how they coexist. Mr. Green has lived a
long life steeped in his faith and strict adherence to tradition, to the point where struggles within his
own family could not move his unwavering position. Enter the younger, Ross, who shares a similar
upbringing but who questions the strong traditional “lines in the sand.” An unlikely meeting throws
these individuals into the same world, and this script takes us on their journey of discovery, revelation,
and recovery. It is funny, poignant, and disturbingly real and relevant.
why. This brilliant piece delves into how history and tradition shape and guide the lives of two
individuals from different generations and the impact it has on how they coexist. Mr. Green has lived a
long life steeped in his faith and strict adherence to tradition, to the point where struggles within his
own family could not move his unwavering position. Enter the younger, Ross, who shares a similar
upbringing but who questions the strong traditional “lines in the sand.” An unlikely meeting throws
these individuals into the same world, and this script takes us on their journey of discovery, revelation,
and recovery. It is funny, poignant, and disturbingly real and relevant.
David Coffee plays Mr. Green, a devout Jewish man in his 70s who lives alone after the passing of his
beloved wife. Mr. Green was involved in an incident where he was almost run over by 29-year-old Ross
Gardner, played by Parker Gray, who has been ordered to periodically visit Mr. Green as part of his
court-ordered community service. Mr. Green wants to be left alone, but Ross fulfills his duty by
continuing to visit regularly with food and conversation, and the two begin to develop an amicable
relationship upon discovering that they share some commonalities, including the same cultural
background. At one point, Ross reveals a secret that abruptly changes the conversation, and the play
takes on a completely different tone. I do not want to give away any more of the story, as there are
some jaw-dropping “wow” moments that director Stephen D. Morris has cleverly crafted into the
unfolding of this beautiful story. Bravo to you, sir, for stellar casting and direction!
beloved wife. Mr. Green was involved in an incident where he was almost run over by 29-year-old Ross
Gardner, played by Parker Gray, who has been ordered to periodically visit Mr. Green as part of his
court-ordered community service. Mr. Green wants to be left alone, but Ross fulfills his duty by
continuing to visit regularly with food and conversation, and the two begin to develop an amicable
relationship upon discovering that they share some commonalities, including the same cultural
background. At one point, Ross reveals a secret that abruptly changes the conversation, and the play
takes on a completely different tone. I do not want to give away any more of the story, as there are
some jaw-dropping “wow” moments that director Stephen D. Morris has cleverly crafted into the
unfolding of this beautiful story. Bravo to you, sir, for stellar casting and direction!
David Coffee is a powerhouse who completely embodied Mr. Green. His portrayal was so very raw and
real, at times I forgot I was watching a play. His strong and grounded performance was brilliant. I could feel every emotion and was captivated by every intentional choice he made. The lighthearted side of Mr. Green was endearing and wise, and he was funny without trying to be funny. The power in his firm intensity when faced with opposition to his core beliefs was very moving. There are just so many layers to Mr. Green that Coffee was able to weave into his performance, and it was magnificent to watch. Parker Gray (Ross) was the perfect pairing with Coffee. He, too, convincingly embodied the multi- layered Ross with the perfect amount of charisma, charm and impeccable comic timing that matched Mr. Green on every level. Gray’s performance is so incredibly truthful and relatable, and the level of pain and heartbreak that was unearthed by him was breathtaking. I hurt for him. I hurt for them both. And the ability to transfix an audience to experience that level of engagement in a performance is nothing short of masterful. THIS IS WHY I LOVE THEATRE!
real, at times I forgot I was watching a play. His strong and grounded performance was brilliant. I could feel every emotion and was captivated by every intentional choice he made. The lighthearted side of Mr. Green was endearing and wise, and he was funny without trying to be funny. The power in his firm intensity when faced with opposition to his core beliefs was very moving. There are just so many layers to Mr. Green that Coffee was able to weave into his performance, and it was magnificent to watch. Parker Gray (Ross) was the perfect pairing with Coffee. He, too, convincingly embodied the multi- layered Ross with the perfect amount of charisma, charm and impeccable comic timing that matched Mr. Green on every level. Gray’s performance is so incredibly truthful and relatable, and the level of pain and heartbreak that was unearthed by him was breathtaking. I hurt for him. I hurt for them both. And the ability to transfix an audience to experience that level of engagement in a performance is nothing short of masterful. THIS IS WHY I LOVE THEATRE!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the beautifully detailed set by Kevin Brown, lighting design by
Bryan Stevenson, sound design by Ryan Simon, costumes by Karen Potter, and the entire production
crew who created this gem of a show.
Bryan Stevenson, sound design by Ryan Simon, costumes by Karen Potter, and the entire production
crew who created this gem of a show.
I cannot say enough about Visiting Mr. Green. It is thought-provoking and so relevant right now.
Everyone can relate to this story in some way. Things you hold as truth and fundamentally base your life on can be shaken to the core, and you must decide to accept or reject. Do we learn and grow or stay
unmoved and firm?
Everyone can relate to this story in some way. Things you hold as truth and fundamentally base your life on can be shaken to the core, and you must decide to accept or reject. Do we learn and grow or stay
unmoved and firm?
Please go see this show. Bring a friend or group of friends. I may even have to see it again myself.
Tickets are available online at https://theatrearlington.org/production/visiting-mr-green/. The show
runs through September 29 with shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings @ 7:30pm, and
Sunday matinees @ 2pm.
Tickets are available online at https://theatrearlington.org/production/visiting-mr-green/. The show
runs through September 29 with shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings @ 7:30pm, and
Sunday matinees @ 2pm.
Go See the Show!
Eddy
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