Tickets are now on sale for The Paramount Acting Company’s (P-A-C) production of the stage adaptation of Mitch Albom’s New York Times best-seller, Tuesdays with Morrie. Show dates are August 9-11 at 8PM and August 12 at 3PM.
The play, adapted for the stage by Jeffery Hatcher, chronicles the rekindling of the friendship between Albom and his college Sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. After pledging to “stay in touch” after college, sixteen years pass before Albom made contact with Schwartz. He sees an installment of ABC’s “Nightline” documenting Schwartz’s battle against ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Stricken with conscience, Albom arranges what he thinks will be a final visit with his friend, only to feel the need, once again, to learn from his old professor. This time, the lesson concerns how to truly live while dying.
The New York Daily News called the play, “Touching, life-affirming, deeply emotional with a generous dose of humor,” while the Journal News says “the play has an aura of celebration.”
Paramount Acting Company Artistic Director David Wright says the play was scheduled for production last year, but a series of scheduling problems “got in the way.” Wright added, “We weren’t about to let this one get away. It is great theater.”
Wright says the play will be a bit unusual for local theatre-goers, since it is what is known in the theatre business as “an extended one Act.”
“The dramatic arc of the story is one that really can’t be interrupted by an intermission,” Wright said. “The play will run about 75-80 minutes. However, if people want to stand and applaud and cheer, we’ll stay until midnight.”
The play also utilizes only two actors. P-A-C veterans Tim Wiest and Chip Barnette will portray Schwartz and Albom, respectively.
Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the door and $9 for students, seniors and groups of ten or more. Credit card reservations (VISA and Mastercard only) may be made by calling 336-222-TIXS. The Paramount Box Office is open Monday through Sunday from 12-3PM and one hour prior to any ticketed event.
The Paramount Theater, the City of Burlington’s performing arts and multipurpose center, is located at 128 E. Front St. in downtown Burlington.