“Intensely and intently moving. Grounded in truth.”
Tuesdays with Morrie, initially published in 1997, remains one of Mitch Albom’s most impactful memoirs. In 2002, he collaborated with playwright Jeffrey Hatcher to adapt the book into a stage production. A previous Toronto staging of Morrie took place at the Winter Garden Theatre in 2009 under Ted Dykstra’s direction, featuring performances by Hal Linden and Rick Roberts.
Last night, the King Theatre Company and Pine Farms Orchard celebrated the opening night of their commendable production of “Morrie,” directed by Chloë Rose Flowers. Flowers clearly demonstrates her commitment to the play’s narrative, as highlighted in her Director’s Programme Note: “[the play] invites us to pause, to reflect, and to remember the importance of coming together.” Her thoughtful approach, characterized by sensitivity and discernment, ensures the emotional depth of this two-hander.
The story frequently breaks the fourth wall, following the evolving relationship between the young Mitch Albom (Josh Palmer) and his former professor, Morrie Schwartz (Nicholas Rice), who eventually faces Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). The play begins with Mitch on the brink of graduation from Brandeis University. As the story continues, the audience witnesses the developing respect between mentor and student through various anecdotes. Mitch, aspiring to be a jazz pianist, promises to remain in contact with Morrie.
Sixteen years later, Mitch has not fulfilled his promise for familial reasons. Instead, he becomes a prominent sports journalist. He reconnects with his former professor after seeing him interviewed on ABC’s Nightline by Ted Koppel, soon after Morrie’s diagnosis. Motivated partly by guilt, Mitch visits his former professor. Their meetings become a weekly tradition every Tuesday at Schwartz’s home, where they engage in profound discussions about life’s values and meaning.
Ultimately, the audience is led to share in Mitch’s sense of loss as he witnesses his friend’s gradual decline.
It was a beautiful opening night for the play being staged on the steps of the Pine Farms Orchard store. On stage left, there was a comfortable-looking wingback chair, representing the room where Albom and Morrie meet every Tuesday. Stage right featured various costume pieces hanging on a coat rack and a clothesline, which Palmer would change into during the performance. Additionally, there was a piano, providing Palmer with a golden opportunity to play instead of pretending to do so.
As the story progresses, Morrie sits in a wheelchair and, near the end, is confined to a bed.
One can hear the noises of cars and motorcycles on the street outside the Orchard. I quickly tuned that noise out. The actors wear microphones (a good choice), so there’s no problem at all for the audience to hear the dialogue.
Flowers directs the production by ensuring the truth of these two men is firmly grounded. She nicely maintains that element in her vision. The fluid pacing never appears rushed.
What makes this ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ worth seeing are the performances by Josh Palmer and Nicholas Rice.
They are genuinely believable in their emotional intent and connections from the very beginning. They listen to each other carefully and respond with reason and purpose. They express their thoughts, listen to them, and truly absorb their meanings.
It might have been a bit of opening night jitters, but the young Palmer was just a tad too stiff as a young Mitch on the verge of graduation and going to find himself. Again, it was only for a few moments. As the play continues, Palmer relaxes, and his confidence as Mitch soars. Palmer instinctively and smartly knew when to bring back that stiffness in his physical stance when he showed the demands of his job as a journalist in being pulled in all directions.
Nicholas Rice’s Morrie is wonderful. At the top of the show, there’s an impish, devil-may-care attitude he adopts as he shows how he loves to joke with Mitch. Rice’s dancing as he listens to Mitch playing the piano is heart-stirring. Hearing the unseen Janine (Albom’s wife) sing ‘The Very Thought of You’ as Rice’s Morrie closed his eyes and listened passionately remains a deeply affecting visual tableau.
This ‘Tuesday‘ remains an enjoyable evening at the theatre. One of the questions Morrie asks of Mitch: “Are you being as human as you can be?”
This thoughtful production proudly reinforces the beauty, wonder and joy of being human.
Please go and see it.
Running time: approximately 90 minutes with no interval/intermission.
The production runs until August 28 at Pine Farms Orchard, 2700 16th Sideroad, King City. For tickets: kingtheatre.ca or call (647) 622-6055.
KING THEATRE COMPANY & PINE FARM ORCHARDS PRESENT
Mitch Albom’s ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Jeffrey Hatcher & Mitch Albom
Based on the book by Mitch Albom
Directed by Chloë Rose Flowers
Sound Designer: Daniel Tessy
Lighting Designer: Lisa Van Oorschot
Stage Manager: Khaleel Gandhi
Performers: Josh Palmer and Nicholas Rice
