Ellipse Theatre Community (ETC) presents the stage adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher, based on Albom’s bestselling memoir on select dates from April 5-27. Tuesdays with Morrie is a heart-warming play that perfectly blends comedy, drama, and poignancy as Mitch, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie, his former college professor, reunite 16 years after Mitch’s graduation. Mitch happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television news program and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage every Tuesday and a final class in the meaning of life.
This production is part of ETC’s ongoing Roadshow Program that seeks to present highly mobile, quality productions throughout Central Oregon. “This is our mission at work,” says Craig Brauner, ETC president and founding member who takes on the role of Mitch in the production. Performances of Tuesdays with Morrie will occur at various venues throughout Bend, Prineville, La Pine, Sisters and Redmond. This production is also part of ETC’s Immersive Experience. In conjunction with the performances, audience and community members can partake in additional programs and events highlighting the themes of the show as part of ETC’s ALS and End-of-Life Awareness Project. A complete list of dates, locations, and events can be found on ETC’s website (etcbend.org). This program is made possible in part through generous support and funding from the Deschutes Cultural Coalition, St. Charles Health Systems, Tower Theater Foundation and Brooks Resources. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to various organizations to support ALS research, care and services.
Core to the mission of ETC is collaboration with various community partners and organizations. The cast and creative team have benefited greatly from the support and guidance of ALS Northwest, Peaceful Presence, Partners in Care and OSU-Cascades Doctorate of Physical Therapy program to better inform and accurately portray end-of-life care and ALS. Mark Baron, director, says “We’re very excited to bring this story to life and to share it with surrounding communities! Tuesdays with Morrie is a story filled with life lessons that every audience member can relate to.”
The cast includes Craig Brauner and Ed Mierjeski. The creative team for Tuesdays with Morrie includes director Mark Baron, stage manager Melisa Fitzgerald, and a production team including Amy Anderton, Charlotte Dababay, Eric Denzler, Suzie Hughes, Eddie Lampe, Debbie Levin, Barbara Rich and Warren Schweitzer. For additional information and to purchase tickets please visit etcbend.org.