The mere mention of Sandra Shrewsbury’s May 1 directorial debut of “Tuesdays with Morrie” stirs the butterflies in her stomach. The very personal play, based on the best-selling autobiographical book by Mitch Albom involving conversations with his beloved but terminally ill professor, landed in Shrewsbury’s lap, she believes, courtesy of fate.
“I’m dedicating my part of the production to the memory of my mother and father. (My father) died in 2007 from end-stage COPD, and many of our last conversations continue to teach both my sister and I life lessons daily — as does this play,” says Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury talks about the strength being brought to Historic Fayette Theatre’s stage through the powerful performances of the two veteran actors playing the roles of Morrie (Gene Worthington) and Mitch (Steve Hambrick).
“Gene and Steve will bring the audience through waves of emotion that include laughter, joy, tears, sadness, wisdom and even … hope.”
As in “Morrie,” Shrewsbury and her sister were able to keep their ailing father at home before his passing thanks to the assistance of Hospice. While discussing the presentation of the play, the consensus of the group was to invite Hospice of Southern West Virginia and representatives from the ALS Association to be available before and after the production to supply information and answer questions attendees may have on end-of-life matters and ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, was the illness of which the play’s titular character dies.
“The local community has always been so supportive of our theater, and this is just a small way for us to offer our appreciation to them,” adds Shrewsbury.
The symbolic butterfly worn by Hospice representatives will no doubt replace Shrewsbury’s nervous variety as they watch her direct the on-stage translation of mortality into wisdom. Attendees can expect to absorb surprisingly positive moments among the poignancy of life’s greatest lessons, content that propelled Albom’s original book to the top of the New York Times best-seller list where it stayed for 205 consecutive weeks.
“Tuesdays with Morrie” opens May 1 at 8 p.m., with additional performances May 2 and May 8, also at 8 p.m., and a matinee showing May 10. The Historic Fayette Theatre is located at 115 S. Court St., Fayetteville.
For more information about the production or for reservations and tickets, call 304-574-4655.
Hospice is a nonprofit program designed to serve the needs of people suffering from life-limiting illnesses and the families caring for them. Their emphasis is on comfort and dignity as the organization strives to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual requirements of the dying and their loved ones in Fayette, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties in West Virginia.
