Temperatures are on the rise heading into this weekend, meaning it may be a good time to pay a visit to Historic Folsom’s Sutter Street Theatre as its month long visitor will be leaving soon. That’s right, it the last chance to take in the “Visiting Mr. Green,” a charming story that wraps up its run at the local community theater this week.
The sow that opened early last month will raise the curtain just three more times ahead. Visiting Mr. Green hists the stage Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday and 4:30 p.m. The show stars two very talented actors from two very different age groups with Stephen Kauffman and Josh Davis uniting.
Directed by Janelle Kauffman and produced in partnership with Kauffmans’ Give Us A Hand Productions, this production is already captivating audiences with its poignant storyline and stellar performances. Kauffman has directed in both the Palm Springs and Sacramento areas for many years, but her favorite venue remains Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom.
Among many other plays, Kauffman has directed All My Sons and On Golden Pond at Sutter Street. In those plays Davis was cast in supporting roles, and finally this long awaited production of Visiting Mr. Green. The child actor has grown into the role of Ross and Janelle has the great pleasure of working with two favorite men…husband Stephen and grandson Josh, as co-leads in a play just made for the two of them. She couldn’t enjoy this production more!
“Visiting Mr. Green” explores the unlikely friendship between Mr. Green, an elderly retired dry cleaner, and Ross Gardiner, a young corporate executive. Their relationship begins with an accidental traffic encounter in New York City, leading to a court-mandated community service arrangement that alters both their lives profoundly. What starts as a comedy of mismatched personalities evolves into a touching drama as the characters confront their pasts and forge a deep bond.
The play, which has been translated into 24 languages and staged over 600 times worldwide, has garnered acclaim for its universal themes and powerful performances. Audiences can expect a rollercoaster of emotions as the characters navigate themes of loss, reconciliation, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Kauffman wraps up his 31st appearance at Sutter Street Theatre playing the role of Mr. Green this weekend. He began acting at age 68 after a 35 year career as Deputy District Attorney, Superior Court Judge Pro Tem and lead attorney in over 50 jury trials. Since then, he has appeared in over 50 dramas, musicals and films in more than
20 venues in both Northern and Southern California He has received 6 annual Best Actor Awards in 4 different cities, including Elly Awards for both comedy and drama. Two favorite roles are Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey and Willie Loman in Death Of A Salesman. Other roles include Willie Clark in Sunshine Boys, Professor Norman Thayer in On Golden Pond, Grandpa in You Can’t Take It With You, Foxwell J. Sly in Sly Fox, Nat Moyer in I’m Not Rappaport and Mayor Shinn in Music Man. He
is overwhelmed with joy at sharing this once in a lifetime Kauffman family production with his favorite director, Janelle Kauffman and his multi-talented, youngest grandchild, Josh.
Davis, is grateful for the opportunity to play Ross Gardiner in Visiting Mr. Green. He’s especially excited to perform alongside not only a veteran of the stage, but its also his real-life grandfather, Kauffman as Mr. Green and being under the direction of his grandmother, Janelle. Josh has been acting since age four. Other Sutter Street Theatre credits include On Golden Pond and All My Sons (also with his grandparents), as well as Charlotte’s Web and Seussical. Local audiences may recognize him from Folsom High School’s productions of Footloose (Ren), Elf (Buddy), and Shrek (Lord Farquaad).
Josh also performed professionally as a child actor. He spent two winter seasons touring the country with the National Tour of A Christmas Story and worked locally at the Sacramento Music Circus during multiple summers. Credits at Music Circus include Newsies (Les), Seussical (Jojo), Peter Pan (Michael) and Gypsy. Josh is currently studying Musical Theatre at the University of Southern California, where he most recently appeared as Gordon in A New Brain with USC’s Musical Theatre Repertory. After he graduates, Josh hopes to move to New York City and pursue a career in the theatre industry.
Don’t miss out on this touching theatrical experience right in the heart of historic Folsom. Join the Sutter Street Theatre for an unforgettable evening of drama, laughter, and storytelling with “Visiting Mr. Green.” Tickets can be reserved online at www.SutterStreetTheatre.com or by calling (916) 353-1001. To get in on Friday’s buy one one get one deal, you must call the theater box office and request the deal.
Photos by Dakota D Photography
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