Visiting Mr. Green at Theatre Arlington
‘Visiting Mr. Green,’ written by Jeff Baron (1996), tells the story of a man who is ordered to make weekly visits to an elderly, newly widowed gentleman. Over time, they become friends and learn about compassion, forgiveness, and how to cope with pain. Under the direction of Steven D. Morris, Theatre Arlington’s portrayal brings this profoundly human story to life, allowing us to see ourselves and our loved ones in each character.
In Mr. Green (David Coffee), we see a man whose reason for living was his wife. In the beginning, her passing has left him refusing to eat, isolating himself, and letting his home fall into disarray. It is Ross Gardner's (Parker Gray) arrival that prevents Mr. Green from succumbing to his mental, emotional, and physical decline.
From the very beginning, Coffee's portrayal of Mr. Green makes us recognize someone familiar with many of his actions. I could see my uncle in the way he was stubborn on the outside but kind on the inside, my grandma in the importance he placed on religion, and I heard my grandpa’s words when my grandma passed: “Why live more years if Yrma is gone?”. Coffee is a master on stage. Through his walk, he revealed who Mr. Green was, how he fiddles with his hands when nervous, and even how he interacted with a simple piece of paper. Through these subtle gestures, he conveyed the significance of that paper—who it represents, how much pain it carries, and how important it is to him. And he does this with every item he touches!
Ross Gardner represents the kind and patient millennial/Gen Z individual determined to show older generations that life can be viewed from a different perspective. Ross even puts his problems aside to help Mr. Green feel better. As we get to know him more, we recognize the immense pressure Ross has been facing from both himself and those around him. With this in mind, we see how brave he is to find such positive energy within himself to help someone in need. Even without listening to his words, we could sense Ross’s familiarity with the space and Mr. Green. We gradually saw him grow more comfortable—cleaning up, storing groceries for Mr. Green, and learning about his personal life. Gray makes us feel proud of Ross.
Coffee and Gray had terrific chemistry on stage; they knew how to manage the energy, and every action was so precise that even the “accidental dropping of a picture” didn’t seem choreographed. They moved around and balanced the space beautifully, constantly aware of the situation.
Morris' direction is spectacular. This play felt like watching a movie. The timing was impeccable, and every scene was so crucial to the plot that no one in the audience dared to cough. We were all completely invested in each detail that was revealed, and we craved more. Even when a character made an uncomfortable joke, he made sure that the audience could also feel the tension. The themes in this story were handled with such care that you leave the play ready for a meaningful conversation. You feel the urge to help someone see life through kinder eyes, forgive, reconnect, and call your loved ones to thank them for being your chosen family. This play teaches you that you can find that spark in the most unexpected people and that you can both learn and teach love and forgiveness. Since these are universal languages, even an immigrant who isn't so fluent in English (like me) can deeply empathize with the story.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Kevin Brown's set design is so simple yet tells a complete story. Everything was justified; even before the play starts, you find yourself looking around, understanding the type of person who lives there, what year it is, and how clean the space is. To your left, you notice a missing picture, sparking curiosity about the story that is about to unfold. Then the play starts, and you see the actors interact with Robin Dotson's creations, which seamlessly integrate with the entire space and look so believable that you forget you’re watching a performance rather than real life. On the other hand, Karen Potter's costumes provide rich details about the characters' personalities without feeling forced. You can easily tell what year it is, how youthful the characters are, how seriously they take their appearance, and when they want to impress. All these fantastic elements, combined with the way the passage of time is conveyed through light, create a captivating experience. I instantly knew whether it was day or night or even what the weather was like, thanks to Bryan Stevenson's lighting and Ryan Simón's sound design.
This production brought so much humanity to its characters that I forgot I was supposed to analyze their performances. This is the beauty of truly understanding a character—not categorizing them as good or bad but empathizing with them, thinking like them, and grasping how their experiences have shaped them. Coffee and Gray studied their characters so thoroughly that I honestly have no words left to express my admiration.
RUNNING: Through September 29th, 2024
VENUE: Theatre Arlington, 305 W Main St, Arlington, TX 76010
TICKETS: https://theatrearlington.org/production/visiting-mr-green/