Matrix Theatre Company to Stage VISITING MR. GREEN, 11/1-24

After a 35-year absence from performing, actor Barry Levine once again takes the stage in Jeff Baron's award-winning play Visiting Mr. Green at Matrix Theatre Company in southwest Detroit November 1 through November 24. 86 year old widower Mr. Green is almost hit by a car driven by young corporate executive Ross Gardiner. Found guilty of reckless driving, Ross is ordered to spend the next six months making weekly visits to Mr. Green. What starts off as a comedy about two people who resent being in the same room together develops into drama, as family secrets are revealed and old wounds are opened. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 pm, with Sunday performances at 3 pm. All productions are presented at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission and $15 for students and senior citizens (65+) with proper ID. Group rates are available. For further information, and to purchase tickets, call 313 967 0599, or go to www.matrixtheatre.org.

"I've been playing old men for approximately fifty-six years," said Levine when describing his acting career. He went on to explain that the late Dick Spear, a former theatrical director at Wayne State University said that at the age of 21 Levine was the oldest President of the Senate he had ever personally directed. Levine continued to play old men at Wayne State University and the World Stage in Highland Park for the next decade. He went on to pursue a career in teaching and educational administration that continues to this day, his fifty-fourth year in the field. When asked why he came out of retirement to play the part of Mr. Green, Levine exclaimed, "I know Mr. Green. Sometimes I think I see him in the mirror. Then I blink real hard, and his image begins to fade, but the memory lingers."

"He's a natural for this part," Lisa Hodge Kander, Visiting Mr. Green director said. Half kidding, Hodge Kander said, "I'm so glad Barry decided to come out of retirement to once again play an old man. He's a natural as a stubborn, cantankerous old coot - with a surprising wit!"

The part of Ross Gardiner, the ambitious, corporate executive is played by local actor Patrick Hanley. "I'm thrilled to be involved in my first production with Matrix Theater Company. I look forward to working with Barry in this wonderful play, and I can't wait until opening night!"

Celebrating 23 years as a non-profit community-based theatre, Matrix Theatre Company is located in southwest Detroit. By using the transformative power of theatre to change lives, build community and foster social justice, Matrix often creates everything from scratch, from puppets of all sizes to more than 130 original plays. It provides creative opportunities for children, youth, adults and elders, especially those in isolated or challenged communities, to become creators, producers, and audiences of original and heritage theatre. For further information or to follow Matrix on Facebook, Twitter and Blogger, go to matrixtheatre.org.

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