“An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson”.
These three components merge in the acclaimed play, Tuesdays With Morrie. The memoir about living life to the fullest is on stage June 5 to 22 at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Based on the best-selling book of the same name, Tuesdays With Morrie is an autobiographical account of Mitch Albom’s life changing friendship with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz.
Sixteen years after graduation, Albom happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television News program and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. After a reunion of what starts as a simple visit, the friendship turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a final lesson on the meaning of life.
Distinguished Canadian actor Ian Downie stars as Morrie Schwartz, who maintains an exceptionally positive outlook even as the disease wreaks a devastating effect on his body.
Downie has appeared in countless stage productions including the Drayton Festival Theatre’s 2010 production of On Golden Pond.
In addition to numerous film projects, Downie is perhaps best recognized as one of the “grumpy old men” who debate the conveniences of modern banking in TD Canada Trust’s TV commercials.
Jeffrey Wetsch takes on the role of Mitch Albom, the determined workaholic journalist who learns how to slow down and appreciate what truly matters in life during the 14 Tuesdays that he spends with Morrie.
Wetsch has appeared in various theatrical productions including The Heiress at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, The Great Gastby at The Grand Theatre as well as roles in film and TV such as Republic of Doyle, Bomb Girls and Defiance among others.
The play is directed by Marti Maraden, who helmed Drayton Entertainment’s hit production of Sleuth last season. A theatre veteran, Maraden worked with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for nearly three decades, where she rose from actor to director.
Tuesdays With Morrie is on stage June 5 to 22 at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Regular performance tickets are $40 for adults; $20 for youth under 20 years of age.
Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $32. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com, in person at the Drayton Festival Theatre box office or by calling 519-638-5555 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
