On The Town:

While any visit to the Colony Theatre is guaranteed to offer an evening of exceptional entertainment, theatergoers who made their way to the Downtown Burbank venue Saturday evening encountered a visit that also proved to be humorous, complicated, thought-provoking and poignant. To raise the curtain on the second production of their 35th season, the Colony Theatre Company presented author Jeff Baron’s provocative play “Visiting Mr. Green.”

As Colony staff, longtime supporters and first-time visitors engaged in pre-show mingling in the theater’s lobby, actors Antonie Knoppers and Jack Axelrod were squirreled away in their upstairs dressing rooms doing last-minute preparations for their respective roles as 20-something Ross Gardiner and the octogenarian Mr. Green.

Shortly before curtain time the Colony’s always-effervescent Artistic Director Barbara Beckley welcomed the opening night crowd and reminded them of the importance of supporting the arts during these struggling economic times.

“I know I’m preaching to the choir,” Beckley laughed. “But please know we are extremely grateful for your support. And remember, every donation is appreciated — no matter how big!”

As the house lights dimmed the audience was treated to the David Rose-directed two-man dramedy that exposes the difficulties of dealing with aging, loss, anger, denial, prejudices and secrets while on the search for the healing balm of unconditional love and acceptance. This bittersweet comedy shows that wisdom and folly come at any age, and that sometimes, the unexpected visitors are the ones we need the most.

Following Saturday’s performance the audience members were invited to an after-show reception to meet the cast, director, technical crew and Colony staff. Among those in attendance were the theater’s Managing Director Trent Steelman, award-winning playwright Doug Haverty, Colony Theatre Board of Trustees member Darby Symons and her husband, Kevin, longtime Colony supporters Roger and Evelyn Cusumano, and Douglass Clayton of LA Stage Alliance.

Others who made the evening a success by both enjoying it and making it possible included Laura James, Remy Baker, Jordan Armitage, Jaime Miller, Noelle Boutros, David Elzer, Robert Kyle, Rick Bernstein, Kathryn Horan, Michael Nesbitt, Michael David Wadler, Patricia Cullen, Brad Brown, Caroline Chang, Judy Wadler, Leon Alexander, James Bell, Amanda Diamond, Jane Drucker, Nonie Lann, Christine Upton, Lisa Breezley, Denise Dillard, Louis Lotorto, Donald Sage Mackay, David Potts, A. Jeffrey Schoenberg, Jeremy Pivnick, Cricket Myers, Leesa Freed, Jonathan Acuna, A.C. Bradshaw, Justin Kief, Christopher Rivera, Daniel Tuttle, Heather Walters, Andrea Dean, Kelly Passinault and Brie Quinn.

“Visiting Mr. Green” will run through Sept. 27. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make financial contributions, you may contact the Colony Theatre at (818) 558-7000.

 DAVID LAURELL can be contacted at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.