Thursdays at Green’s
Fans of Mitch Albom’s novel Tuesdays with Morrie will find the Broward Stage Door Theatre’s production of Visiting Mr. Green quite similar, though just as enjoyable. This two-man play explores the lives of two strangers, Ross Gardiner and Mr. Green, as they interact once a week as part of a community service sentence.
The play begins in the middle of things: Gardiner arrives at Green’s apartment to begin his community service sentence after nearly running down Green on a New York City street. Initially, neither Gardiner nor Green particularly likes each other. Their feelings soon change as it is revealed that Mr. Green’s wife has recently passed away. The pair soon bond over store-bought soup and the recognition of their shared religious background.
The play is peppered with social politics, including a comparison of historical Jewish oppression to the present-day persecution faced by the gay community. This seems to be a bit of a stretch, but Gardiner’s character gives plenty of examples as to how these two subjects are closely related.
Though the play only has two actors, there are a handful of unseen characters that play important roles in the story. Mr. Green’s relationship with his only child propels the play’s critique of how a close-minded relative can be detrimental to ones’ family. As a strict Jew, Mr. Green disapproves of the decisions his daughter makes, causing turmoil among the family.
Visiting Mr. Green can be seen at the Stage Door Theatre (8036 W Sample Rd Margate, FL 33065) through June 10. Call (954) 344-7765 for more information about the theater and shows.
Distance from FAU Boca Campus to Stage Door Theatre:
14.82 miles, 20 min. driving time
Steal Away
A Comedy from Florida’s Oldest African American Theater Company
The M Ensemble, Florida’s oldest existing African American theater company, presents a comedy about the importance of friendship and sticking together in the face of adversity.
Under the direction of Jerry Maple, Jr., who has been with M Ensemble Company for nearly 17 years, Steal Away explores the trials faced by the all-female cast, as they raise money for their church by “taking what is rightfully [theirs].”
The play is set in Chicago during the early 1930s. After graduating from college with the financial support from her local women’s church group, Tracy, the main character, returns home with a plan for the women’s group to rob a local bank.
The women’s group support came under the pretext that Tracy would earn a teaching degree, but while at college, Tracy learned a little something herself. She met an elderly man who told her the story of how he managed to pull off a heist without ever getting caught.
Tracy is inspired by this man’s story and soon turns her college studies to math and science in order to plan a heist of her own. By implementing a well-thought-out plan, Tracy intends to donate the newly-acquired money to the women’s group which helped put her through college, so that other young, ambitious women like her will be able to receive a college education.
After much pleading, Tracy convinces the women of the church group to help her. With the added help of a scapegoat, provided indirectly from a band of male bank robbers in the area, the troupe sets out on their first-ever heist.
At times the plan threatens to collapse as a few of the women become nervous and doubtful. But by eventually assuring each other of their commitment to Tracy’s plan, the women see just how strong and capable they are of accomplishing great feats.
More information on The M Ensemble (111 NW First Street, Suite 625 Miami, FL) is available by calling (305) 895-8955 or by visiting their website at www.themensemble.com. Steal Away runs through May 27, 2007.