Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom & Jeffery Hatcher (based on the bestselling book by Mitch Albom) rehearsals are underway for its September 7th opening at the Rosebud Theatre Opera House.
For the first time, both Rosebud Theatre’s artistic director Morris Ertman and veteran performer David Snider (fresh from his heartwarming portrayal of Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables), will perform together on stage in a touching and deeply emotional play sprinkled with just the right amount of humour and wit – enroute to revealing the secrets of life and death.
Rosebud School of the Arts’ Education Director and the play’s director, Paul Muir says there is no better casting of Morrie than Ertman.
“I’ve known and worked with Morris Ertman for about 25 years. He is the perfect actor to play Morrie Schwartz, a man who spent his whole life inspiring young minds to do and be everything they could be and more! In Tuesdays with Morrie, audiences will experience the incredible heart, wit and humour of Morrie Schwartz through the voice and charm of Morris Ertman who continues to be a consummate teacher, mentor and inspirational leader to me and countless other theatre artists who have benefited from his sage advice and observations about theatre, love and life.”
Ertman, who is usually in the director’s chair at Rosebud, says, “It’s been awhile since I’ve been on stage as an actor. Morrie holds so many resonances that are touchstones in my own life. He is a mentor. I am a mentor. He has a capacity for love that is extraordinary. I would like to think that I’m on the way towards such a love. Morrie is fiercely loyal, a trait I share. Those are some of the character traits he and I share to greater or lesser degrees. Probably the most exciting thing about playing the role is saying the kinds of things Morrie has to say about living life from the centre of love. I am honoured to be given an opportunity to speak those kinds of words in this beautifully redemptive story for our audience in Rosebud.”
“Morrie’s optimistic heart for making a difference in the lives of others is the kind of storytelling that draws people to our theatre. We believe in the kind of hope he expresses in this play. We also believe in the kind of love that exists between Morrie and Mitch. It’s what audiences have come to expect in Rosebud. We live ‘heart-forward’, and it translates into our relationship with each other, and with our audiences. In this show, I get to participate in that experience first-hand through a real-life character whose story has inspired millions of people - and that really excites me!”
About Snider in his role as Mitch, the sports journalist, Muir adds, “This is David’s kind of story. He is an actor of deep conviction who believes that the story can matter in ways that live beyond the stage. So, this coveted role went to David, not just because of his prowess on stage, but because of his strong sense of conviction that shines through in every role he plays. He’s a Rosebud Resident Company actor because he understands the spiritual significance of a story, the notion that it is story and myth that feed us in every circumstance of life.”
Tuesdays with Morrie, tells the true story of accomplished sports writer, Mitch Albom who reconnects with Morrie, his former college professor after he sees him on TV and discovers that he is dying of Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). What starts out as a renewal of their relationship evolves into a weekly Tuesday visit from Detroit to Boston where Mitch learns about the secrets of life and death from Morrie. The play was adapted by Jeffery Hatcher and Mitch Albom from the bestselling book by Mitch Albom. Tuesdays with Morrie runs September 7 to October 20. Purchase tickets at Rosebud Theatre, by calling 1-800-267-7553, or online www.rosebudtheatre.com