Drama gives insights into life and dying

PLAY REVIEW /// ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’



TALK OF THE TOWN—Dale Alpert, left, as Morrie, and R. Shane Bingham as Mitch in “Tuesdays with Morrie” at Camarillo Skyway Playhouse.

TALK OF THE TOWN—Dale Alpert, left, as Morrie, and R. Shane Bingham as Mitch in “Tuesdays with Morrie” at Camarillo Skyway Playhouse.

“ Tuesdays With Morrie” is sports journalist Mitch Albom’s emotional memoir of his weekly encounters with Morrie Schwartz, his sociology professor at Brandeis University nearly two decades earlier and now in the throes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

The book was published in 1997, with a popular television movie starring Hank Azaria and Jack Lemmon broadcast in 1999. The two-man play version, which is being staged at the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse, stars R. Shane Bingham as Mitch Albom and Dale Alpert as Morrie Schwartz. It plays through March 6.

The play begins as the characters of Mitch and Morrie are established: Mitch is a former jazz pianist who reluctantly gives up music to become a highly paid Detroit sportswriter. Morrie has retired from his teaching position after being diagnosed with ALS and is homebound as he goes through the final stages of his disease.

The major portion of the play deals with Mitch’s weekly Tuesday visits to Morrie’s home, as they discuss religion, love, life and philosophical topics. During Mitch’s visits, we see Morrie go from walking with a cane to using a walker, then being confined to a wheelchair, a La-Z-Boy recliner and, finally, his bed, as he becomes weaker and weaker from the ravages of the disease.

The visits are almost like private lessons in philosophy, as Morrie delivers wry aphorisms like, “I used to be agnostic; now I’m not so sure” and, “You don’t learn how to live until you learn how to die.”

The two characters undergo changes as Morrie’s illness progresses: Morrie becomes more philosophical about life while Mitch, who is locked into a fi- nancially lucrative but emotionally unfulfilling life interviewing sports figures, begins to look forward to their regular discussions.

Morrie’s reflections reveal aspects of growing old that are universal, not just to Mitch but to all of us. He points out that aging isn’t just about decay. Whereas most people fear growing old, Morrie embraces it.

“I get to be a baby again,” he muses with some irony, as he becomes less and less able to care for himself. In Morrie’s view, no one should yearn to be young again, because they’ve already experienced youth. Aging is the grand mystery, life’s final adventure, and, to Mitch’s ultimate intrigue, he embraces this last stage of his life.

Dale Alpert gives a heartbreakingly beautiful performance as Morrie. A key scene occurs when Morrie attempts to feed himself but cannot control his quaking hands. In the last scene, when he is barely able to speak, he tells Mitch to come to his grave after his death and continue their talks. “You talk. I’ll listen,” he gasps.

R. Shane Bingham serves as the narrator in addition to playing Mitch. Mitch’s connecting with Morrie 16 years after graduating from college came as a result of seeing Morrie on a series of ABC television’s “Nightline” programs.

Initially, Mitch appears to be visiting Morrie out of guilt, but eventually, he learns to show his love and care for Morrie and to appreciate his mentor’s perspective on life. Bingham gives an emotionally gripping performance; he excels in such plays, having given an equally memorable turn as David Frost in High Street Arts Center’s “Frost/ Nixon” last year.

Sound is used to good effect in the production, engineered by William Carmichael. The play is sensitively directed by Helene Cohen and produced by Cathy Beckstead. Kevin Su Fukagawa provided the prerecorded piano music, mimed by Bingham in the opening scenes.

“ Tuesdays With Morrie” stresses the idea that money and fame don’t assure happiness. The key, as Morrie asks Mitch at the play’s outset: “Are you at peace with yourself?” The question is one that we should all periodically ask ourselves as well.

For tickets, call the box office at (805) 388-5716 or e-mail boxoffice@skywayplayhouse.org.


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