From left, Adam Owens portrays Mr. Green, and Adam Hughes portrays Mr. Gardiner in “Visiting Mr. Green” which will be performed at St, Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Sometimes people can turn a bad situation into an act of kindness – and laugh along the way.

You may come to that conclusion for Ross Gardiner, a character in “Visiting Mr. Green.”

The play is directed by Jennifer Davis, and Adam Hughes plays Gardiner, and Adam Owens plays Mr. Green. It’s being performed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main St.

Davis is familiar with directing as she has directed musicals at The Lucille Ball Little Theater of Jamestown, and Chautauqua Lake Central School, where she teaches. Hughes reached out to her to direct, and when she read the script, she was in.

“I realized I actually enjoy directing plays. I’m not going say more or less than musicals, but it’s just it’s different,” Davis said. “So the story is definitely appealing. It’s very heartwarming. And I think there’s characters that the audience will be able to if they don’t see themselves.”

According to dramatists.com, Mr. Green, is an elderly, retired dry cleaner, wanders into traffic and is almost hit by a car driven by Gardiner, a 29-year-old corporate executive. The young man is sentenced to community service in which he must help the recent widower once a week for six months. What starts as a comedy about two men who do not want to be in the same room together, becomes a gripping and moving drama as they get to know each other, care about each other, and open old wounds they’ve been hiding for years.

Davis added that she likes having the play be performed at St. Luke’s because stories don’t always have to be told in traditional spaces meaning a theater’s stage.

Davis noted that she has worked with both actors on prior productions, so it was not difficult to direct them. She said that she doesn’t have to worry about the time element making every minute count in rehearsal.

Because there are only two actors, she can collaborate more and bounce ideas off both of them.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with just two actors. It’s really nice,” she said.

Matt Smith, who is helping out with the set and props, said he takes notes so he can be an added resource for the production. He said he loves the cooperation between LBLTJ and St. Luke’s.

Smith added that about 15 years ago the church decided to develop a drama ministry which was called the Winged Ox Players, because the winged ox is a symbol of St. Luke.

“We try to do plays that are somewhat socially relevant, you know, something that might be different than what other theaters in the area might do,” Smith said.

The play is set to be performed Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m.

For ticket information call (716) 483-6405 or visit stlukesjamestown.org.

The proceeds of the production, Smith said, will assist area seniors in gaining access to fresh, local produce.

“The Jamestown farmers market works closely with the Office for the Aging as a contractor for the local ROOTS program and as a redemption site for the senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program,” Smith added.