Fall Play 2011 - "Tuesdays with Morrie"

Mitch Album's Pulitzer Prize-Winning play Tuesdays with Morrie was our 2011 Fall Play, and it was produced in the WGHS Little Theater in Oct.
Was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., New York.


The production was directed by Mr. Schaefer, stage managed by Micah Hawker
We had one preview performance, three evening performances and an encore performance.


    Hal Matthews (as Mitch) and Nathan Eswine as (Morrie) discussing the meaning of life.


This was an interesting project for the department. We had secured a 2011 Fall Play slot (for the first time) on the school's activity calendar, but we didn't yet have a show slated for the slot. This show was in production at the same time as our Fall Musical The Sound of Music.


“There is no formula to relationships. They have to be negotiated in loving ways, with room for both parties, what they want and what they need, what they can do and what their life is like. In business, people negotiate to win. They negotiate to get what they want. Maybe you’re too used to that. Love is different. Love is when you are as concerned about someone else’s situation as you are about your own.”
― Morrie Schwartz


The back story to this production...The previous school year several students had read the script and loved it and we almost produced it with a different cast. As always the year ran out, and one of the students interested in the script graduated and we had to shelve the project.

So with the seed already planted, and an open slot now available to do a show in the Little Theater in the Fall semester of 2011 we jumped at the chance to produce this great script.

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It was a show about life, love and finding happiness in everything you have. The wisdom that comes from the character of Morrie is moving and thought provoking. Through his conversations of death and we are given so much to ponder about living.

"Without love, we are birds with broken wings." - Morrie Schwartz 

Well after this production has closed we still have echoes of Morrie's lessons to Mitch lingering in our ears and our hearts. W are still feeling his encouragement to not take life for granted.

The great thing about this show is that it is 50 minutes long and only has two lead actors (and we added two very small walk on roles). We got to spread out the rehearsal schedule and allow the actors time between rehearsals to breath a bit and do some homework. Nathan of course had also got himself cast in the musical and was splitting his time between the two shows (whew!)

Nathan Eswine                 Hal Matthews

as                                  as

Morrie                            Mitch

We also had Brigit Carmody (as Mitch Album's wife) and Louie Rellergert (as the nurse) 


The production was a huge success for the cast and crew. We learned so much about intimate theater and blackbox performance.

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THE SET

The set was designed and built mostly by the Advanced Tech class 7th hour.

The set was built on the Little Theater stage and an audience of 35 sat on stage as well. It was a learning experience for the actors to be so close to their audience and in the end I think they really liked it that way.

 

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This was the first blackbox staging we've done in the Little Theater and we can't wait to do another!

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THE CREW

Mr. Schaefer - Director , sound design, make-up design, and scenic artist

Micah Hawker - Stage Manager, PR manager/designer, and sound board OP

Alex Porter - Lighting designer and Light board OP

Louie Rellergert - Running Crew

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Special thanks to all the other students who were invovled in this show with house management, ushering and box office. We really appreciate the unsung heroes!!!