Huron Country Playhouse to Stage TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, 6/26-7/13

"An old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson". These three components merge seamlessly in the acclaimed play,Tuesdays With Morrie. This inspiring memoir about living life to fullest is on stage June 26th through July 13th at the Huron Country Playhouse II.

"It's exciting for us to share this important story with our audiences," says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. "Tuesdays With Morrie is a poignant and heartwarming play that reminds us of the profound impact that teachers and mentors have on our lives."

Based on the best-selling book of the same name, Tuesdays With Morrie is an auto-biographical account of Mitch Albom's life changing friendship with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz. 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 becomes reunited with Morrie and, what starts as a simple visit, turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a final lesson on the meaning of life.

Distinguished Canadian actor Ian Downie stars as the lovable Morrie Schwartz, who maintains an exceptionally positive outlook even as the disease wreaks a devastating effect on his body. Downie has appeared in countless stage productions including the Drayton Festival Theatre's 2010 production of On Golden Pond. In addition to numerous film projects over the course of his illustrious career, Downie is perhaps best recognized as one of the 'grumpy old men' who debate the conveniences of modern banking in TD Canada Trust's humorous TV commercials.

Jeffrey Wetsch takes on the role of Mitch Albom, the determined workaholic journalist who learns how to slow down and appreciate what truly matters in life during the fourteen Tuesdays that he spends with Morrie. Wetch trained at The National Theatre School of Canada and was a member of Stratford Festival's esteemed Birmingham Conservatory in 2002. He has appeared in various theatrical productions including The Heiress at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, The Great Gastby at The Grand Theatre as well as roles in film and TV such as Republic of Doyle, Bomb Girls and Defiance among others.

Tuesdays With Morrie is directed by Marti Maraden, who helmed Drayton Entertainment's hit production of Sleuth last season. A theatre veteran with an impressive list of credits, Maraden worked with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival for nearly three decades where she rose from actor to director. The former Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre in Ottawa, Maraden has worked with many theatre companies across the country, including the Shaw Festival, Canadian Stage, Theatre New Brunswick, Manitoba Theatre Centre and Montreal's Saidye Bronfman Centre.

Along with Maraden, the notable Creative Team includes Set & Costume Designer Allan Wilbee and Lighting Designer Louise Guinand.

"Like the book, the play is funny, touching, and inspirational. Tuesdays With Morrie leaves theatregoers with an uplifting message that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit," says Mustakas.

Tuesdays With Morrie is proudly sponsored by Commercial Print Craft. Media Sponsors are AM 980 and 104.9 The Beach. The Design Sponsor is The Royal Canadian Legion. The 2013 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.

Regular performance tickets are $40.00 for adults. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $32.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.huroncountryplayhouse.com, in person at the Drayton Festival Theatre Box Office or by calling (519) 238-6000 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).

Pictured: Ian Downie and Jeffrey Wetsch