Like Father and Son
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes
There are only a few days left to catch this uplifting production of Tuesdays with Morrie at Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia. The team at VPP take this play up a notch with original music and perfect casting.
Morrie is dying – but he’s doing a better job of living. Forever the teacher, he helps others until the end. Mitch Albom says of Morrie: “I just like myself better when I’m with you.”
The story is based on Albom’s experiences. A popular sports columnist with the Detroit Free Press, a TV personality and radio commentator, he lives life in the fast lane. He’s all about advancing his career, making money, buying cars, with little time for a personal life. He delays his wedding, shortens his honeymoon, and is not inclined to have children.
Morrie Schwartz was Mitch Albom’s favourite sociology professor, but Mitch neglected to stay in touch as he said he would. Years later, he sees Morrie on TV. Morrie is in his late seventies and has advanced ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Mitch, who hasn’t seen his beloved professor in 16 years, decides to visit him. Feeling guilty and a little reluctant at first, his visits become routine. As Mitch gradually reveals that his life is a competitive rat race, Morrie tries to teach Mitch to take time to enjoy the little things. Morrie’s condition deteriorates and he eventually dies, with Mitch receiving one final life lesson.
The setting is Morrie’s living room, out of date, a bit cluttered, but homey. A piano sits to the side of the stage, where there is room for Mitch to take us back to his school days to play jazz or by grabbing the bench, he is able to transport himself into a rental car outside Morrie’s home.
There’s a genuine warmth between the actors in this two-hander. Keith Savage portrays Morrie Schwartz, whose ALS is advancing throughout the play. He is excellent at tamping down potential sadness and sympathies by his skillful delivery of the witty dialogue. He will be recognized by VPP audience regulars as Jonas Ainsworth in Jonas and Barry in the Home. He has also been cast in numerous Drayton productions, not to mention his other work including national tours, television and Broadway!
Michael Vanhevel is perfectly cast as Mitch Albom. They are both gifted musically and Vanhevel has the charisma and stage presence to play a successful journalist and media personality. Vanhevel’s emotions seem genuine, and his affection for Morrie seems very real. Vanhevel, a Petrolia local, played King Arthur in Camelot at VPP, and with Drayton Entertainment he starred in The Crooner, and as Duke Henderson in Sh-Boom! Life Could be a Dream this season.
Mark Payne composed music for Tuesdays with Morrie, which is a lovely addition to this play. Vanhevel’s smooth vocal talents are showcased in a touching song at the show’s closing. The wonderful vocal talents of Callandra Dendias are also featured during the play.
To see this uplifting and beautifully performed play, there are only a few days left to get tickets. Though it features dying, it is not about death – it is more about living.
Tuesdays with Morrie continues at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia until August 18th. For tickets, call the box office at 1-800-717-7694.
Photo: Keith Savage and Michael Vanhevel. Photo by Diane O’Dell
Tuesdays with Morrie
By Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom
Directed by David Hogan
Original Music by Mark Payne
Performed by Keith Savage and Michael Vanhevel
Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia
August 6 to August 18, 2024
Reviewed by Vicki Stokes