Honoring a Local Hero
By Terri Hoover
Every once in a while, a show comes along that just blows you away. Tuesdays with Morrie is that show.
Because the drama program at J Frank Hillyard is doing so great, the times we can have their stage for performances is more limited than in years past. Due to this our theatre group was looking for a show that we could take on the road and perform outside of Broadway. It needed to have a small cast and a simple set. Thus, the idea of Off Broadway Players on Tour was born.
I had originally told the Off Broadway Players’ board that I would not be directing in 2026 and that I wanted to take a break. Ron Smith approached me with the script for Tuesdays with Morrie and I initially resisted, and asked he speak to some other people about directing. It wasn’t working out with the others so I reluctantly said I would take on the project. (don’t worry, this story has a happy ending)
Before I read the script, I borrowed a copy of the book and could only read a few chapters a day because I felt I had to sit with the story and absorb what I had read. It was a simple, but very powerful message. Once I had finished the book I read the script. The original story is beautifully retold and set up perfectly for the stage. For those not familiar with the story here is the synopsis:
Tuesdays with Morrie is the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television news program and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life.
It is a story of a mentor and his student. Morrie becomes Mitch’s mentor in school and in life, teaching Mitch that a person’s inner light is as important as what the outside world sees and values. Ron Smith as Morrie and Seth Simmers at Mitch could not be more brilliantly suited for these roles.
Broadway has its very own Morrie who is also battling ALS. Mr. Tim Turner, former Broadway High School coach and beloved friend, is our Morrie. His students were many and he is so favored in our community. OBP didn’t know when we selected this show last year that we would have the chance to perform this production in our hometown. We never imagined that we would start a show that could benefit and showcase a hometown hero.
As a baseball coach Tim led the team to numerous championships including Conference 29 Champions in 2017, a bid for state in 2019 and regional favorites in 2020. Coach Turner taught them how to compete on and off the field. To honor his commitment to our community we want to give back. This show will be a gift to our Broadway family/friends, and we are honored to help support Tim and his family.
For three performances March 20 7pm, March 21 7pm, and March 22 3pm we will offer this show at J Frank Hillyard auditorium. Here’s the magic – All proceeds collected at the door will be returned to the Tim Turner family to assist them as he continues his battle with ALS. Admission will be $15 online or at the door and we encourage donations for the family.
We will then take the show on the road for the last weekend of March and perform on tour at the Sipe Center in Bridgewater. All the details for performances can be found at www.offbroadwayplayersva.org .
It’s a beautiful thing when a no, that turns into a yes, becomes a blessing. Thank you to Ron for trusting me with this story and thank you for the team of Ian Cherry, RB Probst and Christopher Runion who have stepped in to help with the technical pieces. We are a small but mighty group bringing a really big story of love to our community.
See you at the theatre-
Terri
