Tuesdays with Morrie to premiere in Rosebud

Times Reporter

 

Rosebud’s artistic director will be relinquishing his role for the fall performance of Tuesdays with Morrie. Instead of directing the production, Morris Ertman will be performing in it as Morrie Schwartz, starring alongside his colleague and friend David Snider who will play Mitch Albom. 

The factual tale follows the story of overly busy Mitch and his former teacher Morrie Schwartz who lives life to the fullest. Albom hadn’t kept in touch with Schwartz, his former college professor, after graduating like he was promised. One day Albom heard that Schwartz had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). He set out to visit just once, and what followed was life changing for Albom.

“Something that has occurred to me is in Anne of Green Gables I was kind of playing the Morrie role as the older man that’s kind of feeble and in his last days and kind of pouring himself into Anne. Now, in a different story, I’m kind of on the other side of it, I’m the student,” said Snider. 

“Morris and I have been friends as well as colleagues for a long time and in fact the depths of our friendship is really kind of underpins a lot of what we do and the short answer is to say Morris and I have had many of these conversations that Mitch and Morrie have. 

“The connection is deep and in some ways it feels very natural. Relating to Morris is the one thing I thought I’m not going to work on, because I think when we get there we’ll know what to do.”

While talking about the show several people suggested Ertman should play Morrie. He said he read through other actors for the play not thinking too much of it. Finally Dave and Morris and director Paul Muir sat down and read through it one evening. Ertman said he decided to leave it in Muir’s hands, telling Muir if he thought he (Ertman) was right for the role then he would consider it. Ertman said it just happened to be that at this time in Rosebud he just happens to be the person to say those words. 

“He (Morrie) is a pretty interesting and wonderful human being. It’s kind of amazing that one mans life could have inspired what it did in Mitch Albom and then for him to turn around and write the story and have over 14 million people moved by this story is pretty remarkable,” said Ertman.

“I think what’s wonderful about playing Morrie is the depth and size of his love. Not only his love for humanity and for Mitch but his love of life.”

Tuesdays with Morrie runs Sept. 7 to Oct. 20. Tickets can be purchased at Rosebud Theatre, by calling 1-800-267-7553, or online www.rosebudtheatre.com.