By Katherine Ruiz, Special to the Signal Tribune
A play is an experience quite different from television or movies. By its nature, theatre is not as quick-paced, so it turns out to be a great venue to transplant the audience into another world. In Visiting Mr. Green, by Jeff Baron, performed at the Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, two talented actors draw the audience into the story of a friendship created in the most unlikely of circumstances.
A judge has ordered corporate executive Ross Gardiner (Christopher Zenner) to visit Mr. Green (Kenneth Bridges), an elderly man he hit with his car. As Gardiner’s court-ordered visits become friendly social calls, the two men not only find common bonds, but also deeper differences that challenge their values and perceptions, according to www.lbph.com
The stage looks like a grandmother’s house, especially for those of the older than 40 crowd. The scene is a small impoverished apartment in New York. I found myself really appreciating the detail of this set. Teapots over the kitchen cupboards, furniture my grandmother might have had, newspapers in disarray, all lend to the environment and condition of the character living there.
Even the clothing told a story. And the sounds became a character with a flushing toilet and noisy plumbing. Everything was well thought out and executed, with music strategically chosen and placed between scenes to let the audience digest the happenings.
My experience on this night left me a bit distracted in the first two scenes. The situation was well developed and delivered but I found it hard to believe in the intensity of the scenes before the characters were developed. Then came a surprise that completely and thoroughly drew in the audience.
Bridges was a joy to watch. His character developed and transformed while we watched. Throughout the play he was believably humorous, caring, cantankerous and effectively disoriented at times. He even made my eyes water in one scene.
Zenner was a fitting antagonist. His character was also transformed and matured from the beginning scene to the ending scene. We felt empathy for his situation and enjoyed watching his relationship with Mr. Green unfold before us.
As the two characters interact they move from the necessity of their situation to friendship. They need each other, at this point in their lives, to grow and discover that life must change for them to be happy.
The topics covered are serious to both of them, and possibly us, and have alienated their loved ones to different extents. Seeing the effect on each other’s lives of their choices and situations helps them to make necessary changes in their own lives.
Visiting Mr. Green is playing until Saturday, May 26. General admission tickets are $22, $20 for seniors, and $12 for students Friday and Saturday with valid student ID. Call (562) 494-1014 for information.
