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The Arts Club Theatre Company’s
latest production, Tuesdays with Morrie, based on the
international bestselling book, makes a return to the Granville Island Stage
with great sentimentality and soul thanks, for the most part, to the
performances of the two leads.
Returning to the Arts Club after a successful run in 2006, audiences again get
the opportunity to not only see this wonderful piece on death and dying but are
also treated to 88 year old Antony Holland reprising his role as Morrie which
won him a Jessie Richardson Award for his original portrayal in 2006.
After becoming Morrie Schwartz’s star pupil and developing a very strong bond in
college, Mitch (Warren Kimmel) proceeds to disappear from Morrie’s life for 16
years before one night seeing Morrie on Ted Koppel’s Nightline talking
being afflicted with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s
Disease”). Mitch makes a re-connection with Morrie (always on a Tuesday, hence
the title) and Mitch begins to record the wisdom of the man he called “Coach”
until Morrie’s ultimate death.
While Morrie continues on his journey towards death (there is no cure for ALS),
it would have been very easy for Morrie to become bitter and resentful. But
rather than wallow in his own mortality, Morrie rises above it and with the
exception of a few moments of personal sadness and self-pity, Morrie bravely
faces death head-on and helps ensure his years of gathered wisdom are passed
onto Mitch (and through him to others).
Warren Kimmel and Antony Holland in the Arts Club Theatre
Company’s
production of Tuesdays with Morrie. Photo by David Cooper.
Set Designer Ted Roberts and Lighting Designer Marsha Sibthorpe work well
together helping with the transitions between the scenes in a very simple set
while Director Bill Millerd helps actors Holland and Kimmel stop just enough
above the line to prevent the piece from spiraling into a soap opera.
I admit that I have never read the book that Tuesdays with Morrie,
is based on, so I have no way of knowing how true it is to author Mitch Albom’s
original (he also co-wrote this stage version with Jeffrey Hatcher). I do know,
however, that as theatre, while certainly looking to tug at the heart, it also
serves up some very witty dialogue and stands as a nice tribute to all those
that had that special someone during school but who were never properly thanked
for making a difference.
(Thanks, Mrs Gillis!).
I did think the Arts Club was being a tad manipulative in selling packages of
tissues in the lobby of the theatre before the show. My partner and I, who have
both been known to have a good cry as the bus pulls away on Extreme Makeover
Home Edition, didn’t quite get there although there were plenty of sniffles in
the audience.
But I suppose herein lies the greatest pleasure of the show: some of us walked
away with a smile on our faces while others cried but we all walked away knowing
that indeed “death is not a dirty word” and thanks to Morrie we’re all okay with
that in the end.
Tuesdays with Morrie runs at the Arts Club Granville Island Stage
until May 31st. For tickets and more information visit the Arts Club Theatre
Company website at
http://www.artsclub.com.
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