←Recommendations of The Opposite of ERSTWHILE

Three older men -- one lovably cranky, one lovably eccentric, one lovably steady -- learn to navigate their new normal. They're a little further down the road than I am, but even from my phase of life, Mathew Green's depiction of the accommodations, efforts, frictions, and quiet kindnesses of long-term friendships rings true. A funny, lovely examination of how our longest-held bonds serve us as our circumstances inevitably, inexorably change.

Mathew Green gifts us with Erstwhile - a tale of older men bonding through life transitions. I adore this master class in creating memorable characters. Sweet story, handled with care and so relatable. I would really like to see this staged. It will leave audiences smiling.

I wish all men had friendships like these! It's so important as you age, as this short play shows, to have friends to lean on and walk with you. I love how each of these three guys has his own unique voice and how you can see how much they care for each other, even through the jokes and nicknames - sometimes at the others' expense. What great roles for older actors!

02.07.26 - This is the kind of play where the characters and their world view are the draw. We're fascinated by their interactions and wonder, in what world would these three men bond so tightly. Mathew Green gives us a wonderful look at friendship between those of vastly differing circumstances but who find common ground nevertheless. While light on plot, we are instead gifted with a small amount of time well spent with these men at the diner.

Stop at any small town McDonalds anywhere in rural Kansas, and you'll find men just like these... sipping coffee, swapping lies, and sometimes... getting close to real and honest talk about their lives. Men need friends as they age, and these three are priceless. JASPER is a FABULOUS character that a seasoned actor would LOVE bringing to life.

When I worked at the Gateway Cafe in Lyons, Colorado, we had a regular group of men who would gather each morning for coffee, sitting in the same place, talking about deep topics such as the weather, the meaning of life, and the Broncos. Mathew Green's meditation between these three friends took me back to the Gateway, and his dedication to the realities of small moments (and derived nicknames) says more in a few minutes than a lot of full-lengths, and it's worth staging.

This play about friendship between older men is so enjoyable. Mathew Green's characters are distinct but complement and contrast one another well. I love that there are secrets and revelations throughout, even some bristling and resentments. And there's something refreshing about Jasper's life perspective - that he isn't a "has-been," but rather a "still-am." We need plays that show connection, especially between older men, at a time when loneliness and isolation are rampant.

Jasper is certainly a dynamic and amusing central character, hiding his neediness behind an explosion of colorful speech. Ed and Elwood demonstrate their caring for him in different ways, but the connection between all three men is authentic. In a brief encounter in a coffee shop, they explore loss, connection, and the difficult process of adjusting to retirement.