Review: Tuesdays with Morrie

Only to see how a how a "self-help" book will work as a stage-play (and because of a free ticket), I watched the last staging of Rep's Tuesdays with Morrie in Manila (It'll be staged at SM Cebu on February 2). I've read the book back in 2003, and I must admit that I was touched. Again, anything that has to do with the concept of mentorship (especially in an academic setting) really interests me. I was quite a bit cynical about having such material adapted as a play

First, the book is mainly focused on two characters (Morrie and Mitch). Everything else is purely a conversation between the two characters. So how can this kind of story be executed well on stage in a less-boring sense? Second, two characters would mean lesser actions and probably less excitement. Third, it's emotions-packed, how can it be executed touching the audience the same way the book has touched a lot of people? Honestly, I prepared myself for possible moments where I'd find myself bored. But good thing, the play was short enough to tell the story and for the audience not to get bored.

What worked well?

Transition:

Actual story telling of "Mitch" while acting worked for the play to establish change of day and location.

Improvisation:

As some real props (e.g. Car) and even characters (e.g. Connie, Mitch's wife) aren't much of essence to be really present on stage, improvising through acting and imagination is good.

Excellent Acting:

Like what other reviews say, watch this play only to see the excellent performance of Jose Mari Avellana; brilliant acting. Oh well, what can you expect from a veteran actor? Emotions were carried out well. You can find certain 'truth' in his eyes; that he really is a dying man. (Ah, you'll love to see his execution where Morrie struggling to count. You'll see the pain and helplessness in his performance.) Also, witty punch-lines were effortlessly (it appears natural) executed.

What didn't work for me?

Acting Fusion:

This, I'm quite unsure of. I'm someone who easily cries (or gets teary-eyed at least) when watching a drama/emotions/touchy film or whatever. It's just weird that it didn't happen this time while nearly everyone else (even an old man) were teary-eyed. Admittedly, there were some instances that emotions hit me but they easily died down even before I reached that point of crying.

Again I'm not sure if it has something to do with the 'acting fusion'. While both of the actors played very well, there's something I felt lacking between their connections – something deeper maybe. The element of 'real attachment' between the characters seems to be missing (communicating the essence of Morrie's relevance to Mitch's life).

Acting (technique) Consistency:

Maybe this is a pretty biased observation. I'm not sure if it's because I know he's gay. But there were really some instances in the play where the 'gay' side of Bart showed (sorry) – the manner of speaking and even the movements. Mitch Albom is described as someone who's tough and not affectionate. While there was an effort on the actor's part to project such personality, it wasn't sustained.

"Tuesdays with Morrie" also has a movie adaptation. I haven't watched the movie but I think something like this can be executed better in a film (e.g. maximizing flashbacks).

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Well, it was a worthy risk after all. The first play I watched for 2008. Looking forward to watching more plays.