By Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom. Queanbeyan City Council. The Q Theatre. 3 Mar 2015
Everyone needs a Morrie Schwartz in their lives: that rare person who cuts through our outer shells to touch the core of our being and reminds us of our humanity when we lose our way.
Morrie Schwartz of course is the subject of the much-beloved book Tuesdays with Morrie, written by Mitch Albom in 1995. In it, Albom recounts the poignant life lessons he learns as he reconnects with his former professor during his final days suffering the fatal Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
While the book is very dear to my heart, I recall it being quite an emotional rollercoaster. As such, I wondered if the play would have the same impact. The short answer is it does, and so I recommend bringing a box of tissues. It took all of my strength not to sob uncontrollably in that theatre, and were it not for the awareness of my fellow patrons it would have been an intensely cathartic experience.
As with any book adaptation, you go in with a preconception of what the characters are like, or even a sense of knowing them intimately. So when stage Mitch (Dave Evans) and stage Morrie (Graham Robertson) utter their first words, their requisite American accents prove quite distracting.
Evans sounds a little schmaltzy and Robertson’s accent lacks a specific identity – is it from Brooklyn? New Orleans? Influenced by Eastern Europe? Who knows, but it keeps changing and it takes a while to overlook this and absorb myself in the story. Robertson’s Morrie is also a little more abrasive than I imagined him to be, and somewhat overlooks the gentleness and sensitivity at his core.
Beyond these issues, I can’t fault Tuesdays with Morrie. The stage adaptation is a masterfully edited version of the book; it leaves in all the highlights while at the same time ensuring the length of the show is manageable and that, like their precious time spent together, each moment counts.
The modest setting (by Brian Sudding) predominantly centres on Morrie’s home and is just as described: homely, warm and simple. It is wise to not overdo the design for a play such as this; it would just detract from the richness of the story.
Evans and Robertson are a dynamic duo and develop a sincere intimacy over the course of the evening. There is a stirring tension between Evans as the busy, competitive and ambitious Mitch as he rails against Robertson, the free spirited and philosophical Morrie. However, the real intrigue starts when this tension gradually melts away and their infamous friendship develops in its wake.
A special mention goes to Dylan Muir as Mitch’s wife Janine, who does not appear in the flesh in this production but nonetheless makes her mark via her radiant voice. As she sings a beautifully tender version of The Very Thought of You, Muir captivates the audience and provides a magical, sentimental climax to the show.
Mercifully this production ends on a more subdued note, which allows the audience to pull themselves together and dry their tears before the lights come up - revealing our state of upheaval. I have no doubt that this experience will trigger many long overdue calls to loved ones in the days henceforth.
Tuesdays with Morrie is a funny and deeply touching theatrical gift that is guaranteed to find a place in your heart. It is an experience that is sure to leave its mark on you for life and gently challenge you to consider death in a way that is profound and life affirming.
Deborah Hawke
When: 3 to 15 Mar
Where: The Q Theatre
Bookings: theq.net.au
