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Covina Center for the
Performing Arts Presents
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Tuesdays With Morrie
Apr. 20 thru May 6
Directed by
Frank Minano
Mitch Albom is lucky. He has the chance to rediscover his mentor, Morrie, his college
professor from nearly twenty years ago, in the last months of the older man’s life. Knowing they do
not have much time left, Mitch meets with Morrie every Tuesday for one final “class” – a lesson in
how to live.
"This play demands a director’s
sensitive hand to ensure the poignant moments fall like leaves. While he steadily guides Thomas and
Gunkel through their humorous and heart-wrenching conversations, Minano lets the show breathe
enough to allow our own tears to fall just as delicately." - Steve Julian, LA Stage Blogger and KPCC/89.3 KPCC/89.3 Morning
Announcer
The
stage version of "Tuesdays With Morrie," co-authored by Albom and Jeffrey Hatcher, premiered at the
New York Stage and Film in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in the summer of 2002. It opened off-Broadway on
Nov. 19, 2002 at the Minetta Lane Theatre.
Albom’s story was also adapted into a 1999 TV movie by Thomas Rickman. It starred
Jack Lemmon as Morrie and Hank Azaria as Mitch.
$23/$33
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Director's Notes
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE closely follows
the novel of the same name, written by Mitch Albom. The story recounts intimate moments that
occurred between Mitch and his mentor, Morrie, in the final months of Morrie’s life. Throughout the
course of our lives, one has had great teachers that have impacted and reshaped our lives. For
myself, I think of an elementary teacher who challenged me to ‘reach the top of the pole’ in a
physical education class, and then in high school who helped develop my gift of singing, and
finally to my professional life a man who became my theatre mentor. Now no matter how much
time has passed between visits, we pick up with our relationship right where we left it. We
all have our Morries who remind us to Give, Hope and Love.
THE REAL-LIFE Mitch Albom was born in New Jersey in 1958, but he grew up primarily in Philadelphia.
Just like in the play, Albom earned his Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University in Waltham,
Massachusetts in 1979. After taking one of Morrie’s courses Albom was hooked and his sociology
degree reflected his heavy study with Morrie. Mitch would go on to get master’s degrees in
journalism and business administration from Columbia University.
This is a special production to direct, as I have known Duane Thomas for 40 years ... I guess you
could call him a Morrie in my life too!
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Meet the Director
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FRANK MINANO (Director) Frank’s directing credits cover three decades
of musicals, children's theatre, dramas and comedies. Recent credits include: Our
Town and Kiss Me, Kate IVRT at Candlelight; A Little Night Music and Cat on a
Hot Tin Roof at the Grove; Steel Magnolias and his adaptation of Charles Dickens' A
Christmas Carol at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga and Rumors and
his adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol for CCPA. Other credits
include: Mame, The Sunshine Boys, The Man Who Came to Dinner, You Can't Take IT
With You, Fiddler on the Roof and A Streetcar Named Desire. Frank and his wife,
Donna Marie, founded Inland Valley Repertory Theatre (IVRT) in 1990, and that same
year were honored by the City of Rancho Cucamonga with the prestigious Primavera
award for their contributions to the cultural arts. Frank is a graduate of UC
Irvine (BA), University of La Verne (MBA) and South Coast Repertory Theatre's
Professional Conservatory. Frank continues to serve as IVRT Board President and
serves as the Artistic Director for CCPA. He resides in La Verne with his lovely
wife, of 23 years, two daughters and pet pug, Max. |
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Meet the Cast
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DUANE THOMAS (Morrie Schwarz) is a forty-five year
veteran of local stages throughout Southern California, dating back to the original
Gallery Theatre in Upland and Ontario where he first met the 10-year-old Frank
Minano. A lifelong singer, he has soloed at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Thomas performed in
IVRT’s premier production Side by Side By Sondheim in 1990 and has done many shows
with IVRT, notably Fiddler on the Roof, Follies, South Pacific, The King and I, The
Lion in Winter, The Sunshine Boys and most recently On Golden Pond. A graduate of
Yale, Mr. Thomas is a proud member of the Wiffenpoofs. Mr. Thomas is a retired
Superior Court Commissioner. He looks forward to sharing with you the wisdom and
emotions of Morrie Schwarz. Duane is an IVRT resident company member.
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TERRE GUNKEL (Mitch) Terre is cofounder and former
Producing Artistic Director of Vanguard Theatre Ensemble in Fullerton; he was a
Theatre Arts major of the University of Redlands and received his Master’s Degree
from California State University, Fullerton in Theatre Arts. He is currently
Associate Artistic Director for Inland Valley Repertory Theatre. As an actor Terre
most recently appeared on stage as Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Lewis
Family Playhouse and as Brutus in Julius Caesar at the Redlands’ Bowl for the
Redlands Shakespeare Festival. As a director Terre has directed more than 70
different plays including: The Crucible , Most Happy Fella and Driving Miss Daisy
for IVRT, and Much Ado About Nothing. Terre serves as the Artistic Director for
IVRT. |
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