A Review of "On Borrowed Time," at the Two River Theater T. Charles Erickson Oakes Fegley as Pud, with Diane Kagan as Granny, Robert Hogan as Gramps and Angela Reed as Aunt Demetria Riffle. The incarnation of death, who materializes early in "On Borrowed Time," is no hooded specter with a scythe in a skeletal claw. Rather, in Paul Osborn's 1938 play, death is mildly personified as Mr. Brink, a gentlemanly fellow sporting a natty tan suit and a homburg hat. But he still means mortal business. Mr. Brink pays a professional call upon Julian Northrup, a feisty octogenarian better known as Gramps, only to be rebuffed and later tricked into climbing an apple tree from which he cannot descend to resume his duties. Exactly how this miracle occurs, and what that later signifies for Gramps, his beloved grandson, Pud, and the world at large, forms the substance of Mr. Osborn's gentle backyard fantasy. "On Borrowed Time" no doubt means a great deal to Joel Grey, the award-winning actor of "Cabaret" fame, who directs this revival at the Two River Theater in Red Bank. When the play was presented in 1941 by the Cleveland Play House, Mr. Grey made his stage debut at the age of 9 as Pud opposite the Gramps played by Dudley Digges, who had originated the role on Broadway. A sure sense of authenticity distinguishes Mr. Grey's staging, as well as a deep sense of wistfulness that pervades his production's sepia-tinted visuals and often pensive mood. The single setting, expansively designed by Michael Carnahan, presents both the cozy interior and the weathered facade of a Victorian-style house decked with screened porches and bow windows. In the yard, a large and extravagantly gnarled apple tree spreads its fruit-laden branches toward the heavens. As the story begins, a gramophone recording of "Love's Old Sweet Song" sets a twilight atmosphere as Gramps (Robert Hogan) and little Pud (Oakes Fegley) putter around while discussing family matters. Granny (Diane Kagan) is a dear old scold who affectionately frets over Gramps's salty influence on Pud's character. The boy's sanctimonious Aunt Demetria Riffle (Angela Reed) is termed a "pismire" by Gramps, who defines that as "one of the meanest ants there is." Then Mr. Brink (Tom Nelis) appears, requesting that Gramps go off with him to "where the woodbine twineth." Foiled in that attempt, Mr. Brink later visits Pud's parents (offstage) and Granny - the leisurely narrative proves to be fairly fatal - which results in Gramps's conflict with Demetria, who demands to become the boy's guardian. Another visit by the persistent Mr. Brink eventually sees him stuck in that tree and unable to touch Gramps, or anybody else, as the first act concludes. Should this tale seem familiar to some people, perhaps they recall the 1939 film, which starred Lionel Barrymore as Gramps and closely follows the play. Barrymore performed the role in a wheelchair, but here the silver-haired Mr. Hogan ambles about as a mostly spry if occasionally shaky-on-his-feet Gramps. Mr. Hogan's tetchy but essentially mellow nature lends a glow to the proceedings, especially in his relationship with young Mr. Fegley's earnest, bespectacled Pud. Their rapport appears to be genuine and fond. Ms. Kagan is nicely more tart than sweet as Granny. Subtly bathed in an unearthly light by the designer Jennifer Tipton, the lithe Mr. Nelis lends a soft voice and a patient manner to Mr. Brink, who obviously knows that time is on his side. Wearing prickly hats and pinched expressions as Demetria, the sharp Ms. Reed adds comic astringency to a play that turns surprisingly humorous in the second act. Steven Skybell as a kindly doctor and Patrick Husted as a taciturn lawyer deliver rock-solid performances among the several villagers whose disbelief regarding Gramps's unwilling prisoner changes into open-mouthed bewilderment. Ann Hould-Ward, the costume designer, dresses everyone appropriately to the mid-1930s time and place. Adapted by Mr. Osborn from a novel by Lawrence Edward Watkin, "On Borrowed Time" thoughtfully contemplates the necessity of death while providing a tender portrait of an old man's abiding love for his grandson. Mr. Grey's interpretation of the play perhaps registers as a tad too melancholy in its usually somber lighting and cello-touched music, but his well-acted production effectively vibrates with life. "On Borrowed Time," by Paul Osborn, is at the Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, through Oct. 13. Information: (732) 345-1400 or tworivertheater.org.