For Immediate Release: December 20, 2006
Media Contact: Christine Barbush, People's Light & Theatre Company, 610.647.1900 x103

People's Light & Theatre Company presents TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE running February 7 to March 4, 2007 on the Steinbright Stage. TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is based on the novel of the same title and co-authored by Mitch Albom (the author of the book), and Jeffrey Hatcher, one of the most produced playwrights writing today. People's Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern. For tickets call 610-644-3500 or visit peopleslight.org. Shire is the show's Corporate Sponsor.

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is the autobiographical story of Detroit sports writer Mitch Albom and his former Brandeis sociology professor Morrie Schwartz. Sixteen years after graduating college, Mitch finds himself a successful, career-obsessed journalist with something lacking in his life. By chance, he catches his ex-professor, Morrie, on Ted Koppel's Nightline one evening. His beloved "coach" and mentor is suffering from the incurable Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Mitch goes to see Morrie the next Tuesday to say good-bye. Once he is there, Morrie asks him the question: "Are you being as human as you possibly can?" Mitch is unable to truly answer this, and his planned one-time visit becomes a weekly quest as Morrie's lessons in sociology are now replaced with lessons on the meaning of life and love.

"There are many things about directing this piece that excite me," says director Stephen Novelli. "First, I think that the stage adaptation of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE is even better than the book. Jeffrey Hatcher is a very successful playwright and is very much in command of the dramatic form. He brought a lot to the stage adaptation."

"Second, we have a great cast. Robert Spencer is a guest artist who plays Morrie. He has done the role twice before. He loves the character and can't wait to find more to explore through this rehearsal process. That is exactly the kind of enthusiasm that is needed for the character of Morrie. A lot of this story's success is based on people's love of the character of Morrie. He is wise and strong, with incredible courage. Even in the face of death, he maintains a love of life. Having an actor who loves the character as much as audiences do was very important to me, and we're thrilled to bring Robert here to do it. David Ingram is a long-time company member playing Mitch. He has the skills and presence to tell Mitch's story. I'm sure they will create a great chemistry together."

"Finally, I think it's great to present a piece like this in a small, intimate space like the Steinbright Stage. This story is so personal. It is a memory piece along the lines of The Glass Menagerie. Among other things, it is about Mitch learning how to love and realizing that material success isn't what life is about. It takes a confrontation with death for him to realize this. Our Town shares a similar theme. These messages do not get lost and can have more impact in a smaller space."

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE previews on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. Opening night is at 8pm Friday, February 9, 2007. The show runs through March 4, 2007. Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $28 - $48 with discounts available for groups of 10 or more.

KEY BIOS

Mitch Albom (co-author) graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in sociology. He later earned a Master's Degree in journalism and business administration from Columbia University in New York City. He is the author of eight novels, the most recent being For One More Day. Other novels include The Five People You Meet in Heaven (2003) and the international bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie (1997). Both books have been on The New York Times Bestseller List and Tuesdays with Morrie has sold over five million copies. The book was later adapted into an Emmy Award-winning TV movie produced by Oprah Winfrey and starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria. Albom has been named the top sports columnist in the nation 13 times by the Associated Press Sports Editors of America - the highest honor in his field. He is also a nationally syndicated columnist for The Detroit Free Press and an ABC nationally syndicated host for two radio shows. He has received more than 100 writing awards from AP, UPI, Headliners Club, National Sportswriters and Broadcasters Associations including seven first-place APSE honors for feature writing. A member of numerous charitable boards, Albom has also founded two charities in Detroit. The Dream Fund helps underprivileged youth become involved in the arts and A Time to Help provides volunteer opportunities on a monthly basis.

Jeffrey Hatcher (co-author) is a native of Ohio and attended New York University to study acting. After working as a stage actor for a few years he turned his attention to writing. He has written many award-winning original plays, including: A PICASSO, WORK SONG, MURDERERS, THREE VIEWINGS, COMFORT AND JOY and SCOTLAND ROAD. He recently wrote the book for the Broadway musical NEVER GONNA DANCE, based on the film Swingtime featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Hatcher has also written numerous adaptations including: Kaufman and Hart's THE FABULOUS INVALID and Henry James' THE TURN OF THE SCREW. Hatcher wrote the screenplay for the film Stage Beauty (based on his COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY) and a novel, The Art and Craft of Playwriting. He is a recipient of the Minnesota State Arts Board Grant and Fellowship awards from the Jerome Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and the McKnight Foundation through the Playwrights' Center.

Stephen Novelli (Director) is and Associate Artistic Director at PLTC and was seen most recently in THE IMAGINARY INVALID. He has also performed in THE CRUCIBLE, JACK & THE BEANSTALK and THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING. He has directed POPS and THE MOURNING SHOW for 30FEST, CAMPING WITH HENRY AND TOM, THE HOPE ZONE and MEASURE FOR MEASURE, among others. A member of the resident company since 1974, he has performed in more than 70 productions, including A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, JULIUS CAESAR and THE LITTLE FOXES.

Robert Spencer (Morrie) was seen as Morrie in Milwaukee Repertory Theatre's production of TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE. Also at Milwaukee Rep, Mr. Spencer was seen as Bapistin in A FLEA IN HER EAR, Ezekial Cheever in THE CRUCIBLE, Mr. DePinna in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU and Leslie Briggs-Stratton in CHAPS! He has acted and directed in many regional theaters across the country and was a company member for 11 years at American Players Theatre in Spring Green. He has also acted on Broadway in BYE BYE BIRDIE, ENTER LAUGHING, VIA GALACTICA and SEXTET.

David Ingram (Mitch) has been with People's Light since 1989, and has appeared here in a number of productions, the most recent being MIDONS-OR THE OBJECT OF DESIRE. Other PLTC credits include THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH, A FLEA IN HER EAR and HARD TIMES. David performed with Theatre Exile in ROUNDING THIRD. He has also appeared with InterAct Theatre Company, The Arden, The Wilma and The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival. David has directed for People's Light's productions of THE FOREIGNER, MY CHILDREN! MY AFRICA!, DISTANT FIRES and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, as well as two pieces for 30FEST: THE YELLOW LINE and JULY 7, 1994. He is on the faculty of the Theater Department of Temple University.

TICKET INFORMATION

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.peopleslight.org. Or contact the Box Office, open daily from noon until 6pm, at 610-644-3500. Group discounts for parties of 10 or more are also available. For more information on group tickets, call 610.647.1900, ext. 191 or group@peopleslight.org.

Audiences are encouraged to join the artists after each Thursday night performance to discuss the production.

The remaining People's Light & Theatre Company 2006/2007 Season includes Twelfth Night, February 28 - April 7, 2007; The Giver, April 26 - May 20, 2007; Splittin' the Raft, May 9 - June 10, 2007; Humble Boy, June 20 - July 15, 2007.

Go to News Releases»